Ex Mayor and Deputy Mayor agree venue will pay its way
FORMER Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has doubled down on the long-term value of the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre (RWC), saying years of analysis show the project “stacks up” financially, socially, and for emergency services.
“The approach of Redland City Council has always been, if it doesn’t stack up, we’re not going to build it,” Ms Williams said.
“All information that’s been provided over many years shows this is a cash-positive opportunity for our city to help support the broader precinct, the economy, and emergency management capabilities.”
She said multiple independent reviews had reinforced the project’s worth.
“Other reports by different levels of government have demonstrated that this will be one of the greatest legacy venues of the 2032 Olympics,” Ms Williams said.
“From an emergency management point of view, having a facility nearby for swift water and urban flood training is a huge advantage, and the sporting and social benefits are real positives for the community.”
Her comments come as early economic modelling shown to councillors indicates the RWC will be a financially viable venue with lasting benefits for the region well beyond the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – even while construction cost estimates and ongoing maintenance remain in flux.
Planned for the Birkdale Community Precinct, the RWC will host canoe slalom events and operate year-round as a recreation, adventure tourism, and emergency-training hub.
Deputy Mayor Julie Talty said the venue was designed to generate its own income, and support ongoing maintenance.
“Early modelling soon to be released shows this is financially viable and will benefit our region well beyond 2032,” Cr Talty said.
“The community’s dream of a lagoon-style adventure area will be made possible by the Olympic project.
“That’s because the millions of dollars in pumps and chlorination systems for the canoe course will also service the lagoon, creating a unique recreational space for locals.”
Under the precinct’s Master Plan, adopted in March 2023, the centre would sit alongside a public lagoon, community facilities and heritage protections.
Council will build supporting precinct infrastructure, while construction of the whitewater facility itself will be fully funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the $7.1 billion Olympics infrastructure package.
The venue is expected to host elite training camps, world-class competitions and community recreation, and accommodate up to 8000 spectators during the Games.
Ratepayers will not be asked to contribute to the construction of the Birkdale venue or any future cost blow-outs.
The newly released 2025 Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report from the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) projects the whitewater centre could cost about $182.5 million to build – nearly double the early ballpark estimate of around $100 million.
The report outlines a three-year construction period beginning in 2027 and ending in 2030.
QMCA CEO Andrew Chapman emphasised that the figures were preliminary and based on early industry benchmarking.
“A lot of those numbers are very early estimates. They have a lot of risk built in. I tend to go higher and then work my way back,” Mr Chapman said.
He said the estimate had not been reviewed by Games authorities and covered only construction costs, not escalation, consultants, land or client-side expenses.
A Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) spokesperson confirmed no updated costing for the RWC exists.
“At GIICA, we are currently undertaking the necessary assessments and planning activities to make sure every venue, including the Redland Whitewater Centre, meets the requirements of the Games and delivers long-term benefits for local communities,” the spokesperson said.
“All 17 new and upgraded venues in GIICA’s infrastructure program are funded through the $7.1 billion agreement between the Australian and Queensland Governments.”
Redland City Council also said it was not involved in the QMCA pipeline report costings.
“Council did not contribute existing or future budget details … and is unaware of the source of information relating to the Redland Whitewater Centre,” a spokesperson said.
A confidential 2023 project validation report reportedly found the centre would break even or better financially, while delivering health, lifestyle and emergency-management benefits for the community.
Ms Williams said its proximity to Brisbane’s emergency services made it an invaluable asset.
“The venue is literally half an hour away from where most emergency responders work,” she said.
“Currently, they travel overseas for this type of training.
“Once again, even from a sporting perspective, it stacks up financially and socially, and there are opportunities to generate commercial revenue on site from cafes, restaurants, and leases.”
Council has passed more than 20 resolutions confirming its commitment to delivering both the whitewater centre and the broader 62-hectare Birkdale Community Precinct, which it will ultimately own and operate.
