DIVISION 5 COUNCILLOR CR SHANE RENDALLS PRIORITIES FOR 2025 A ‘NEW LIGHT’
Redland City Council’s Division 5 Councillor Shane Rendalls has produced some of his priorities for 2025.
He says 2025 unfolds a full year of addressing the priority areas for Division 5, in a ‘new light’.
Underlying all these priorities is a commitment to working closely with the community in developing ideas and options.
This work is additional to "my ongoing advocacy for a fair budget share of the 2025/26 RCC budget allocation, for both SMBI and Redland Bay, to ensure we’re not forgotten".
There are 10 key priority areas he will focus on for SMBI (mainland priorities are identified separately), with many of these already in progress.
Transport: Pushing for a multi-storey Weinam Creek carpark that delivers the maximum number of car-spaces, is accessible to residents and provides temporary parking while construction is underway. Through the Transport and Parking Residents Group, we’re already looking at options to improve parking and disability access at island ferry terminals; deliver on-island transport; and improve mainland transport.
Roads and Infrastructure: Securing funding for the infrastructure we need (roads, footpaths, drainage, etc) by having a clear scope of requirements and indicative costings. The process of collecting this information and identifying ‘shovel ready’ projects for external funding opportunities is already underway.
Community Assets: Improving island amenity, which includes pushing for Council landowner’s consent for redevelopment of Russell Island Bowls Club, RICArts, Macleay Island RSL, and new facilities on Karragarra and Lamb Island.
Disaster Resilience: Strengthening local business and community organisation networks with local, state and federal government disaster response agencies, to support first responders in the event of a disaster. Particularly, one which may mean we are cut-off from the mainland and must rely on what resources we have on the islands.
Local Business Partnerships: Getting more value and responsiveness from Council-spend on the islands by having local businesses on the Council supplier list; supporting island trades for island jobs; working with social enterprises; and supporting training opportunities on the islands.
Telecommunications: Continuing to work with our Federal MP to get the Federal investment needed to deliver improved mobile coverage and remove black spots.
Affordable Housing: Examining the options of tiny homes, secondary dwellings, temporary accommodation and alternative accommodation models; and the impact they’ll have on housing affordability, environment and the liveability of SMBI.
Eco-Tourism: Creating jobs, protecting our environment and making SMBI an even better place to live and work, through low-impact projects. Activating our trails; improving water access; camping options on Macleay Island; and better marketing of what the islands offer.
Improving Accessibility and Operations of Council Facilities: Focussing on community halls; Russell Island pool; maintaining our parks and recreational areas; pontoons for boat ramps; and foreshore protection.
Positioning SMBI for Success in the updated City Plan: Recognising SMBI is different and a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ for Redland City, does not work. For example, considering zoning from a SMBI perspective (particularly our need for commercial and industrial land); our island gateways and commercial areas; building alignments and setbacks; protecting our environment; bushfire resilience; and our planning and approval processes.
The 10 areas above reflect my election campaign and are issues I feel passionate about, to ensure our SMBI community grows in a positive direction during my term as Councillor. - CR Shane Rendalls
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