Redland City Council has given the green light to one of the region’s most ambitious and exciting aquatic projects.
Construction of the much-anticipated swimming lagoon at Birkdale Community Precinct is expected to start as soon as next year, and will deliver early legacy benefits for Redlands Coast in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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Acting Mayor Julie Talty congratulated the community for helping drive the vision for a family friendly, low-cost, inclusive and accessible aquatic recreation area.
“This lagoon, covering almost 2000 square metres, will be a flagship asset within the world class Birkdale Community Precinct featuring children’s waterplay areas, a toddler splash zone, an accessible beach and ramp entries,” Cr Talty said.
“Community engagement through the precinct’s visioning and master planning process identified strong support for swimming, water play, adventure sport and family-focused recreation.”
A two-storey pavilion also will be built alongside the lagoon featuring food and beverage facilities and community spaces.
Cr Talty said the lagoon would evolve into much more than just a place for a quick dip.
“This investment will deliver a high-capacity, family-friendly place for residents and visitors to swim, play and spend time together,” she said.
“This will be the kind of place where families can spend a morning, an afternoon or a full day.
“Children will be able to take part in learn-to-swim lessons or waterplay, while parents and grandparents enjoy a few laps, take a refreshing dip or relax in the shade.
“That is what makes this lagoon so exciting – it will be an affordable and flexible community space for people of all ages and abilities.”
Cr Talty said the lagoon would also create opportunities for community events like dive-in movie nights and water safety programs.
“It will help make the community precinct a place people return to again and again – not just for major events, but for simple, happy days out with family and friends on Redlands Coast,” she said.
The aquatic recreation area will be built near the Redland Whitewater Centre as part of Council’s long-term plan for the entire precinct supporting local recreation and tourism.
“The Redland Whitewater Centre has been designed as a year-round recreation, tourism and training facility, featuring everything from rafting experiences to specialist emergency services and rescue training programs,” Cr Talty said.
Next steps for the lagoon include an expression of interest process for a construction partner.
Construction of the lagoon is expected to start in mid-2027 and take approximately two years to complete.
The Redland Whitewater Centre will be jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government. It will be delivered by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA).
