News from your local councillor Cr Jason Colley
Division 9: Sheldon/Capalaba/Thornlands
Dear Residents,
2025 has been a whirlwind. Literally! Earlier this year we faced the most extreme weather event to impact our city in decades. The resilience and character I saw before, during and after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred really demonstrated the wonderful spirit that exists in our community.
Our area was one of the worst impacted, with many Division 9 residents suffering property damage and being without power for more than a week. Despite facing our own challenges, residents helped one another to clean up cyclone damage, loaned generators and provided
food (or a mobile phone charger!) for those in need.
It is these virtues of hope and goodwill that are particularly significant at this time of year. For me, Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope and joy He brings so many.
On Christmas Day, almost everyone, people of all faiths, will pause. An astonishing example of this happened at Christmas during World War I, in 1914. German and British soldiers emerged from the trenches and began to shake hands and exchange gifts. They played friendly games of soccer, ate meals and sang together. The war
had not ended, but somehow, in the midst of a human hell, there was a moment of peace on earth, good will to men. Jesus’ life brought – and still brings – light to an otherwise bleak and hopeless world.
However you choose to celebrate, please take time to pause this Christmas, and I pray that you find peace and hope.
Cr Jason Colley - Division 9
Out and about in the community
Getting out and about in the community is one of the best parts of my job and that’s why I have hosted dozens of Community Chats in Division 9 cafes, parks, shops and even on the side of the road this year.
They are such a great way of connecting with residents. I am committed to hosting even more of them in Capalaba, Sheldon and Thornlands in the future.
Please scan the QR code to keep up to date with the time and locations of these each month.
Sporting chance for indoor sports facility
I was honoured to be endorsed by my colleagues as the Sport and Recreation Portfolio Councillor earlier this year.
This endorsement means I take a more active role in working with Council staff and other stakeholders to advocate for our community when it comes to sports and recreation facilities. This is a natural extension of what I have already been doing.
Redlands Coast’s first public pickleball court was installed at Gandarra Street Park in Capalaba earlier this year and I am continuing to work with local community groups to understand how Council can best support them.
There are much bigger projects firmly in my sights as well.
The lack of a multi-purpose indoor sports facility has been a longstanding
challenge for our community but things are moving in the right direction.
Council voted in September to undertake due diligence, master planning and business cases for preferred sites, which will take us several steps closer to deciding the most suitable location for this facility.
Cheers to Christmas!
Redlands Coast Distillery was operating with a restriction on their liquor licence for almost two years before I intervened.
Working with officers from Council’s planning team, we were able to help Steve have the restriction removed, giving him an extra day of trade every week.
Cheers to cutting through red tape and getting things done.
These facilities aren’t cheap so it’s important to take our time and ensure we make the most responsible decision to get it right.
I am so excited to see this finally becoming a reality. It won’t happen overnight, but I will be doing everything in my power to ensure it does happen.
Critical infrastructure delivery
I am proud to have seen several important infrastructure projects delivered this year.
These have included the revitalisation of parks, resurfacing of local roads and the installation of new footpaths to connect gaps between existing paths.
Most of these projects don’t have a citywide impact, but they certainly make a huge difference to the community who use them every day.