THE Redlands Coast is set to make waves on the international sporting stage with a proposed Olympic-standard whitewater facility at the Birkdale Community Precinct – but questions around future running costs have sparked comparisons with other major aquatic attractions in Queensland.
Expected to open in 2028, the Redland Whitewater Centre (RWC) is subject to final environmental approvals and project validation from the Queensland and Australian governments.
Other outdoor water facilities offer a benchmark for operational expectations.
In Yeppoon, Livingstone Shire Council operates a 2500sqm lagoon-style pool that opened in 2018 as part of a $53 million foreshore redevelopment, including $18 million for the lagoon.
The 2024/25 maintenance budget for Yeppoon Lagoon was $1.93 million.
Ipswich City Council’s Orion Lagoon in Springfield remains a popular outdoor water destination, attracting more than 240,000 visitors.
The total budgeted yearly cost for the lagoon – including water usage – is $2.5 million, with $1.1 million allocated for lifeguards.
In stark contrast, former Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr ruled out a similar lagoon for Port Douglas in 2021, citing a lack of sustainable funding options.
“It would not be financially sustainable for this shire to have a free lagoon,” he said.
Instead, construction of a $4.75 million Splash Park began in March, funded by $2.53 million in Queensland Government grants.
While the RWC will be part of an Olympic legacy and offer broader-use cases – including emergency rescue training and year-round athlete development – its specialised infrastructure could mean significantly higher operational demands than a lagoon-style pool.
State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie was unable to confirm last month whether Redlands ratepayers would be liable for long-term operational costs.
“We don’t want to burden the ratepayers of Redlands with unnecessary financial strain,” he said.
Residents are calling on Council to immediately release the full financial modelling for the proposed RWC, including costs and projections both before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and in the post-Games legacy phase.
Cr Paul Bishop moved a motion calling for greater financial transparency around major projects, including
the proposed RWC and lagoon.
He sought a commitment that Council provides a “transparent explanation” underpinned by “sound financial modelling, intergenerational planning, and fiscal preparedness”, to ensure no legacy burden on future generations.
However, his motion was defeated in a 7-4 vote, with councillors instead supporting an alternate motion from Deputy Mayor Julie Talty to simply “document the process, research, external expertise and methodology applied to the design, planning and future operations of the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre and Birkdale Swimming Lagoon”.
An online Redland Bayside News poll earlier this year found 74 per cent of more than 1500 respondents did not support the RWC.
