THE Federal Government has reopened its environmental decision on the controversial Birkdale Community Precinct and Redland Whitewater Centre after an alliance of local environmental and community groups lodged a formal appeal.
In a notice published today, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water confirmed the environment minister had received a request to reconsider the decision not to regulate Redland City Council’s proposal under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The original decision, made on May 28, found the project was “not a controlled action provided it is taken in a particular manner”.
But that decision is now under fresh scrutiny.
The reconsideration request was submitted by the Community Alliance for Responsible Planning (C.A.R.P.) on behalf of local groups including Redlands2030, Birkdale Progress Association, Koala Action Group Queensland, ACF Community Bayside and Wildlife Preservation Society Queensland’s Bayside branch.
The groups say expert scientific confirmation shows koala habitat vegetation adjacent to the proposed Whitewater Centre obtains water from a shallow water table linking the development site to koala habitat within the Conservation Zone.
They argue this is substantial new information and contradicts Council’s earlier referral conclusion that the vegetation was not groundwater dependent.
C.A.R.P. says changes to groundwater levels caused by the development could affect koala habitat and other protected environmental values.
The Federal notice calls for public comment on whether there are grounds for the earlier decision to be revoked and replaced, including whether the new information warrants a fresh environmental assessment.
The development is a significant blow for the long-debated Birkdale whitewater proposal, promoted by Council as a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic legacy project.
Supporters have argued the centre could deliver sporting, tourism and economic benefits, while opponents have repeatedly raised concerns about its environmental impact and the loss of habitat.
Local Redland Bayside News understands Redland City Council is disappointed the Federal Government has agreed to consider C.A.R.P.’s request, but remains confident the reconsideration will be dismissed.
Council believes its scientific investigations show the Birkdale Community Precinct and Redland Whitewater Centre can proceed without impacts on federally protected species.
The public consultation is understood to relate only to material submitted by C.A.R.P., rather than a wider reassessment of the project.
Members of the public are invited to comment on the reconsideration request until August 27, 2026, via the EPBC Act Public Portal under reference EPBC 2026/10471.
