News from your local councillor Cr Peter Mitchell
Division 2: North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah edition
Dear Residents,
As we approach the festive season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to every resident across Division 2 and the broader Redlands Coast.
Christmas is a time to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the strength of our community – and 2025 has given us much to be proud of.
This year we faced significant challenges together. From the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and widespread flooding, to the strain on our infrastructure and services, our community responded with resilience, compassion and unity.
Whether it was neighbours lending a hand, volunteers stepping up, or Council teams working around the clock – the Redlands spirit never wavered.
We came together in cafés, sportsfields, and at events like GreazeFest, sharing stories, laughter, and support. We filled our parks and markets with creativity and joy, and enjoyed worldclass performances at the Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC). From tribute concerts to local theatre, RPAC reminded us of the power of the arts to uplift and inspire.
We also proudly hosted thousands of young athletes and their families at the Queensland Touch Football Junior State Cup in 2024 – a major sporting event that showcased not only talent and teamwork, but the welcoming heart of our city.
As we look ahead to 2026, I’m filled with optimism. Council remains committed to building a safer, more connected, and more vibrant Redlands Coast.
We will continue investing in infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and enhancing our community spaces and disaster resilience.
May this Christmas bring peace to your home, joy to your heart, and a renewed sense of community. Let’s carry the lessons and spirit of 2025 into the new year – stronger, united, and ready for what lies ahead.
Warmest wishes for a safe and joyful festive season.
Strengthening our economic community
I was endorsed by my colleagues as the Economic Development Portfolio Councillor earlier this year, which aligns with my long-time dedication to building the economic strength of our communities.
Healthy, thriving retail areas are selfperpetuating in that they establish pride and a sense of ownership in the community that, in turn, leads to an uptake in shopper numbers and spending at retail outlets in the area.
Similarly, the healthier our local industries are, the more jobs there are for locals, and the more that other business operators are attracted to our city.
We need to continue to push for economic development on Redlands Coast, using economic sensibility so as not to put pressures on the budget. We also need to ensure we do things in a fiscally sustainable way.
Cr Peter
Mitchell Division 2 − Island
Quandamooka artworks shared
Council loaned more than 40 Quandamooka artworks to support an inaugural exhibition at QUAMPI Arts and Culture Centre on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) in September.
The works were from the Redland Art Gallery Collection, which includes a growing number of contemporary artworks by First Nations artists, with a strong representation of more than 100 works by Quandamooka artists.
The gallery makes every effort to showcase First Nations artworks through exhibitions, foyer displays and public programs, but a significant portion of Quandamooka artworks in Council’s collection have either never been publicly exhibited or only been shown occasionally.
The exhibition, which included Kyra Mancktelow’s Born Under a Tree (pictured), was a rare and culturally powerful presentation of the breadth and depth of Quandamooka art.
The Economic Development team at Council has worked hard this year on many aspects of our local economy. Their work on major projects in the city – Birkdale Community Precinct, the Capalaba revitalisation project and future scopes for Cleveland including a revised Toondah Harbour proposal – are a credit to their skills and I look forward to working with them again next year.
There are works in the works
It has been wonderful to see upgrades to the Amity Point swimming enclosure. This was achieved through funding in the current budget, along with a drainage renewal project on Kennedy Drive at Point Lookout.
Drainage work also continues for the management of stormwater flows below Ron Stark Oval, with a rock armour installed along a section of the Dunwich foreshore.
In terms of parking at Dunwich, Council is working with the community around compliance and what is the best result for everyone. I know the importance of advocacy to our Queensland Government partners to achieve what is needed in relation to Dunwich port.
Planning input appreciated
Council is currently working through the wonderful input we have received from Redlands Coast residents into the draft Our Future Redland City: Corporate Plan 2026–2031.
The Corporate Plan sets Council’s strategic direction for the next five years so it was important that there was a whole-of-city approach to perfecting this plan.
In May and June this year, Council officers spoke to the community about what should be in the plan via an online survey,
Forecourt gets a major facelift
This October saw the completion of a major upgrade to the Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) forecourt, which has been a great boost for showgoers as well as for the Cleveland CBD.
The new-look forecourt (pictured) features a small outdoor performance deck, covered alfresco area, permanent seating, enhanced accessibility, improved gardens and increased lighting.
This will improve the visitor experience for RPAC guests and other users, while also contributing to placemaking within the Cleveland CBD and boosting the night-time economy.
RPAC is a major drawcard for Cleveland, with people travelling from across Redlands Coast and neighbouring cities to experience shows and other events.
This is an important economic and lifestyle enhancement for our city that will benefit several generations of Redlanders.
six community focus group sessions, a community stakeholder workshop, and eight community pop-up events across the city.
Last month, there was another lot of community engagement around the draft plan.
I’m pleased that so many individuals, community groups and businesspeople have had their say, and I look forward to seeing the final plan as it comes back to a future General Meeting of Council.
Be prepared for bushfire season
Residents are reminded that you don’t actually have to live in bushland to be at threat from bushfires – just close enough that you could be affected by embers and smoke.
Small pieces of burning bark, leaves or twigs (pictured), can be caught in the wind and travel for kilometres from where the bushfire is burning. These can cause spot fires.
The Queensland Fire Department says that radiant heat from a large bushfire can be felt more than 100m away. That sort of heat can melt or crack objects such as glass windows, allowing embers into buildings and vehicles. And, of course, radiant heat can be deadly to people and animals.
The message is: Be prepared. Don’t be complacent
Let’s all stay safe and look out for each other during the bushfire and summer storms season.
You can subscribe to Council’s free emergency notification messaging service, Redlands Coast Alerts, via the Redlands Coast Disaster Dashboard at disaster.redland.qld.gov.au
During a disaster, the dashboard is continually updated with vital information on road closures, emergency contacts, Energex power outages, active evacuation centres and weather warnings.