HISTORIC FIND IN TINGALPA CREEK UPPER REACHES

Hidden deep in dense bushland in the upper reaches of Tingalpa Creek lays a poignant historic reminder of the importance of the timber industry in the development of the Redland Shire.

Redland City Council biosecurity staff made an interesting discovery while out monitoring weeds in an area to the west of Avalon Road. They stumbled across the well-preserved remains of an old timber cutter’s log crossing.

James Willard had been felling timber north and west of the Cleveland to Brisbane Road from the 1860s and by 1876 James Campbell had established his first sawmill on the banks of Wallaby Creek.

Timber milled at Campbell’s was generally hardwood and was taken by bullock wagon to the lower reaches of Tingalpa Creek where it was loaded into cutters for delivery.

Interestingly, some of the timber from Campbell’s mill was used in the construction of the penal colony on St Helena Island.

Eprapah Creek was also used as a rafting ground to float logs to Cleveland, Wellington Point or Brisbane, until trucks took over.

There have been many sawmills in the Redlands area. One of the first buildings constructed at Cleveland Point was the Bigge & Co sawmill and jetty.

Timber getting was an important local industry for more than 100 years, and local families like the Pittendreighs, who owned 350 hectares of land in the area of the log crossing from the late 1930s, were still operating their sawmill into the 1950s.

The extent of the timber industry in the area can be seen with another local find, the timber loggers loading ramp located at Mount Cotton. The timber ramps were prevalent in areas of logging and are of technical and historical significance.

Proof is in the pudding

If you purchased a Lions Christmas cake or one of their puddings from local volunteers last year then your support has directly helped our community.

Our local Capalaba volunteers were out in force in December and sold $20,000 worth of the delicious cakes. The proceeds from this annual project are donated back into the community for great causes.

Council proudly supports the endeavours of Lions Clubs on Redlands Coast. The Capalaba Lions Club operations are managed through the Degen Road building on land supplied by Redland City Council.

Capalaba District Girl Guides

Girl Guides has been an all-girl organisation for more than 100 years and lays claim to being one of the largest organisations for girls in the world, with 10 million members worldwide across many countries.

Capalaba District Girl Guides members tell me the biggest benefit is fun and friendship and participating in activities that others outside of guiding may not get to do.

Currently there are vacancies for all age groups from five years to adults. About 40 girls meet at Capalaba, and more girls and women are needed to join this valuable group. Adult volunteers are welcome and needed in various capacities to help with running their meetings, ground and building maintenance, or on the committee.

Council is proud to have supported the Capalaba District Girl Guides through grants funding.

Cr Paul Bishop

Division 10: Birkdale and Thorneside

Ph: 3829 8605 M: 0478 836 286

E: paul.bishop@redland.qld.gov.au