In every edition of Council magazine we choose one local government from across Australia to shine a spotlight on. Whether it’s new infrastructure, an innovative technology project, a leading sustainability initiative or a community connection, we want to highlight the best of our local governments and share some valuable knowledge to other place makers across our nation. This edition, we spoke to Redland City.
1. What is the population size and land area of your council?
Redland City Council is the local government authority for Redland City, which covers an area of 537 sq km, including about 335km of coastline. The local government area encompasses 12 mainland suburbs from Redland Bay in the south to Capalaba in the west and Thorneside to the north, and six residential islands – North Stradbroke, Russell, Lamb, Coochiemudlo, Karragarra and Macleay. The city has a population of more than 166,800.
2. How many employees work at your council?
Redland City Council employs over 1,000 people across five departments.
3. Who is the mayor?
Jos Mitchell was elected Mayor of Redland City in March 2024. She and her husband have raised their three, now adult, children in the city. Jos has a career history traversing both public and private sectors, including more than a decade working with the Queensland Police Service as a general duties officer, prosecutor and trainer. She co-founded a regional company that grew to attract national and multinational clientele. She has also worked as a nationally-accredited mediator, consultant, and a manager of economic development and community services within local government.
Jos has served as a board director for regional development and water organisations in Central Queensland. She is passionate about local business development, the unique environment of Redlands and her fellow residents. Jos is looking forward to a term of active engagement, innovation and a strong collaborative approach with our community and stakeholders.
4. Who is the CEO?
Andrew Chesterman has been the Chief Executive Officer at Redland City Council since 2017. He has an extensive background in strategic leadership and public administration in state and local government. Andrew has been President of Local Government Managers Australia (Qld) since 2021 and is a member of the CEO Institute. He also holds undergraduate and post graduate qualifications, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Certificate of Organisational Coaching.
Andrew’s familiarity with local government dates back 30 years and includes experience in Victoria and the United Kingdom. He has also worked across a range of industries as a management consultant for an Australian Stock Exchange listed technology and business company. Andrew has a long association with leadership roles associated with building better communities and a more sustainable environment.
5. What is the council’s annual Budget?
Redland City Council has adopted a $444 million budget for 2024-2025.
6. Can you give us a breakdown of spending for the budget year ahead?
The 2024-2025 Budget focusses on ensuring ratepayers receive value for their money, delivering for the community today while continuing to build for future generations. It includes a $118.3 million capital expenditure program that represents a significant investment in our city’s lifestyle, future, natural environment and community.
Council manages and maintains more than 1300km of roads and almost 700km of footpaths, cycleways, paths, tracks and trails. We are also responsible for about 134 bridges, almost 700 bus stops, 200 car parks, about 19,000ha of open space, and close to 680km of stormwater pipes.
Council also provides libraries, a performing arts centre, art galleries, an animal shelter and an environment centre, and supports about 70 local sport and recreation clubs. Almost half of this year’s capital expenditure, $52.57 million, will be spent on road and infrastructure projects. Other major capital expenditure includes:
- $31.86 million for water, waste and wastewater projects
- $17.69 million for parks, open space and conservation
- $4.49 million for marine and foreshore projects, including canal and breakwater works
- $4.54 million for community and cultural development, including refurbishment works at Redland Performing Arts Centre and renewal works at Cleveland Library
About $7.2 million of the capital expenditure will fund projects on the islands – including road sealing and upgrades, a new community building, swimming enclosure renewals and foreshore protection.
7. What is your council’s vision for the community?
Council’s vision for the city, extending to 2041, is “Naturally wonderful lifestyle. Connected communities. Embracing opportunities”. This vision is articulated in our corporate plan, Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond. With a focus on finding a balance between sustaining the naturally wonderful lifestyle we currently enjoy, and the community’s clear desire for a thriving and progressive city, the plan helps to ensure Council decisions support an enriched and sustainable future for our city and the communities that live, work and play here.
The Corporate Plan is built on seven pivotal areas of city leadership, strong communities, Quandamooka Country, natural environment, liveable neighbourhoods, thriving economy and efficient and effective organisation. These are accompanied by projects and initiatives, informed by the community, which will shape the city in line with residents’ immediate needs and future aspirations.
Among them are measures to encourage community participation in local decision-making and increase awareness and transparency around Council operations. The Corporate Plan aims to make our city more connected, embraces initiatives to recognise and celebrate our local heritage, progress our reconciliation journey with Traditional Owners, enhance our environment and provide sporting, recreational, lifestyle, job and business opportunities for all.
Underpinned by the four pillars of sustainability – social, economic, governance and environment – the Corporate Plan supports the proactive management of the impact of climate change on our 335km of foreshores and paves the way for the activation of our coastline, encouraging recreation through projects such as the Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk on North Stradbroke Island.
Enhancing the unique character and liveability of our city is also a core element. Active transport investment will be a key driver as Council improves connectivity across the city through a greater focus on cycling and pedestrian facilities, as well as advancing the upgrades to island and mainland transport infrastructure.
The Corporate Plan has also driven city-shaping projects like the creation of the Birkdale Community Precinct, the site for the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre, which will be a unique addition to sport and recreation facilities on Redlands Coast, and the event venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032) Canoe Slalom events.
With our community at the centre, Council’s vision is to present Redlands Coast as a desirable place to live, work and play, uniquely positioned environmentally, socially and culturally.
8. What makes your council area special?
Council adopted the place brand and positioning statement, Redlands Coast – Naturally Wonderful, in 2018 to facilitate promotion of the city to attract visitors, new business and investment.
The Redlands Coast is truly naturally wonderful – from bush to bay, beach to rainforest.
It encompasses more than 335km of coastline along southern Moreton Bay as well as seven islands, six of which are inhabited. This includes North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah, the world’s second largest sand island. The islands offer world-class beaches and surfing, fishing and boating and the opportunity to visit unique artisan studios, explore conservation areas, discover diverse wildlife and stunning panoramas. Cylinder Beach, named in Australian Traveller’s list of Australia’s top ten beaches, is a rare northern bay beach (similar to other better known top beaches at Byron Bay and Noosa). North Stradbroke Island also offers one of Australia’s best land-based vantage points to view migratory whales. Home to the Quandamooka People, who have cared for the region for more than 21,000 years, our Islands offer unique and rich experiences to explore this ancient culture.
Redlands Coast also features internationally significant wetlands and conservation areas, native botanic gardens, national parks and vast tracts of unspoiled bushland. There are areas perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting and many walking, cycling and mountain bike tracks and trails.
Redlands Coast is home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, possums and more than 300 species of birdlife, while southern Moreton Bay teems with marine life including dolphins, turtles, dugongs and manta rays.
The region also boasts a range of boutique stores, a thriving café culture, craft bars and micro-breweries, Queensland’s largest winery, unique arts and crafts and creative precincts, including Council’s Redland Performing Arts Centre and Redland Art Gallery.
Renowned as an event-friendly destination with a balanced calendar of community events, Redlands Coast is also home to a diverse array of markets, festivals, concerts, cultural celebrations and sporting fixtures and competitions.
Redland City is about 35 minutes’ drive, or 26km, from the Brisbane CBD and about 50 minutes’ drive, or 96km, from the Gold Coast.
9. How is your council addressing climate change and reaching sustainability goals?
Redland City has about 335 kilometres of coastline and foreshore that is prone to natural processes such as erosion and storm tide inundation. These processes are predicted to increase with a changing climate. In an effort to manage the impact of climate change on our foreshores, Council has adopted a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) and a number of targeted Shoreline Erosion Management Plans (SEMPs).
The CHAS enables Council and the local community to be better prepared to proactively manage the impacts of coastal hazards on our communities, environment, cultural values, infrastructure, liveability and services, now and up to the year 2100. It has been developed in consultation with stakeholders and is tailored to include our full coastal landscape and diverse communities. SEMPs have been implemented to manage current erosion issues along both the Amity Point coastline on North Stradbroke Island and on Coochiemudlo Island.
Protecting and restoring our natural environment is one of Council’s top priorities and we have identified a number of catalyst projects in our Corporate Plan to help us reach this goal. They include developing a strategy to review opportunities associated with Council’s wastewater treatment plants including new forms of energy, participating in the development of a regional waste plan, and developing a local Waste Recycling and Reduction Plan to move towards a zero waste future.
Council’s Corporate Plan also outlines a number of key initiatives to create a more sustainable city for now and into the future. This includes:
- Exploring and implementing opportunities to proactively reduce Council’s carbon footprint.
- Supporting the transition to a circular economy for waste and participating in regional collaboration and other partnership opportunities to improve resource efficiency
- Partnering with Seqwater and other water service providers to contribute to the development of the Water 4 SEQ Plan – an integrated plan for water cycle management in South East Queensland, supporting drought preparedness for the region.
- Partnering with industry leaders to investigate alternative sources of energy that provide environmental, community and economic benefits
10. What is an exciting community program or initiative council has coming up in the future, or already underway?
Council is committed to creating a strong and vibrant community that promotes resilience, care and respect for residents of all ages, cultures, abilities and needs.
In 2016, Council developed the Community Champions Program after fires on Russell and Macleay Islands, where urgent evacuation was required for residents seeking shelter. It was discovered that shelter and care could be provided sooner with the assistance of trained volunteers based on the islands. These volunteers work in conjunction with the Redland City Local Disaster Management Group and can open the Evacuation Centre and provide shelter, food, water and care for their neighbours. They also provide education to the community about how to prepare for a disaster and assist with community recovery following a disaster.
The Community Champions Program was named “Local Government Award” joint winner at the Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards 2019. The program went on to be selected as a finalist in the Resilient Australia National Local Government Award, where it received a national Highly Commended Award. Several Community Champion volunteers have also been recognised with state awards and National Emergency Service Medals.
Recently, Council has implemented several initiatives to support people in the community living with non-visible disabilities.
In February 2024 Council implemented the internationally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative. Through the wearing of white sunflower lanyards, pins and other merchandise, Council employees show those with a non-visible disability (such as dementia, vision and hearing impairment and chronic illnesses) that we are here to provide support and extra help if needed. The initiative has been rolled out at Council’s Visitor Information Centre, Customer Service Centres, Redland Art Gallery, Redland Performing Arts Centre, Libraries, Redlands Indigiscapes Centre, the Disaster Management team and at events, with the goal of expanding the program into all areas of Council in the future.
Council has also made its Cleveland Library more dementia-friendly through the installation of a dementia clock and a Tovertafel, or “magic table”. The Tovertafel is becoming a tool in dementia care communities and libraries worldwide. It is a ceiling-mounted device that projects interactive games and activities onto a table, specifically designed for people with dementia but also beneficial for individuals with learning difficulties and neurodiversity. Engaging with the Tovertafel offers social, sensory, cognitive, and physical benefits. This initiative aligns with the objectives of a number of Council plans including the Dementia-Friendly Council Action Plan and Age-friendly Action Plan.
11. Can you tell us about an interesting urban development project in the region?
Redland City Council and Council-owned subsidiary Redland Investment Corporation have partnered with developer Shayher Group to deliver a $250 million revitalisation of a 1.55 hectares site in the heart of Capalaba.
The Capalaba Revitalisation Project will transform the area behind Capalaba Central Shopping Centre into the urban heart of Capalaba, incorporating a commercial precinct and exemplary public spaces including community assets such as a new library, customer service centre, arts centre and community hall.
The project will also accommodate an employment hub and a diverse mix of dining, retail and entertainment uses, including a village green with a large screen, and mixed-use residential and commercial areas.
Construction is expected to start in early-2025.
12. How is your council embracing digitisation and growing its technological capabilities?
Redland City Council is committed to meeting the evolving digital and cyber security needs of our community and customers. A four-to-seven-year, $45 million Digital Transformation Program (DTP) was endorsed by Council late last year, in support of the catalyst project of the same name identified in our Corporate Plan.
The DTP’s signature piece is modernising Council’s core Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems – the very bedrock of our digital capabilities. An integrated software solution tailored to the specific needs of local government will be progressively deployed through a series of projects, resulting in the replacement of several separate systems. This will greatly reduce manual tasks, improve information sharing and reduce duplication of effort between departments.
This year, $6.06 million has been allocated to the DTP, and in the coming months, our customers will be able to use a cloud-based system with an intuitive digital experience platform to lodge several types of requests online, receiving automated status updates on their requests. The number of requests that can be lodged this way will increase over time. Council officers will also be able to action their work requests (that don’t involve a payment) from our parks, roadsides and conservation areas, rather than going back to the office.
A new 24/7 online venue booking system is also due for launch later this year. The Bookable Spaces project will consolidate and integrate all functions to do with booking Council spaces, which include more than 100 halls, sports fields, parks, and beaches as well as venues in our libraries and environmental education centre.
At every step in our digital transformation, we are keeping our end goal in sight: to make it easier for our community and customers to interact with Council, provide more choice and convenience, and access to contemporary and secure online services anytime from anywhere.
Featured image: Redland Bay, looking over Weinam Creek to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. Image credit: Redland City Council.
