🚤 Boating fines hit QLD
Volume 56: Redland Council $503m budget | $500m over-50s lifestyle community | Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid release and heaps more
Welcome back to The Redland City Minute, it’s June 26.
Today’s big and free weekly newsletter is 1,137 words, a 6-minute read.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: New Queensland lifejacket rules now enforced
Halcyon Bayside redefines: Over-50s living
Redlands students dive into the future at: QUT’s premier Youth Summit
Trending: 🔥 House fire at Queen St, Cleveland today
Around the Web (Snippets): $120K for Maritime projects, Budget boost for Redlands | Judge backs Meta teaching AI on books and more
Upcoming Events
Redlands Weather Forecast and Tides
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: New Queensland lifejacket rules now enforced
What’s Happening: From 1 July 2025, Queensland boaters must follow new lifejacket laws or face $333 fines.
Why It Matters: The education-first period that started in December 2024 is now over, and with over 1 million boat licence holders, the rules aim to reduce preventable deaths and improve safety, especially during busy holiday periods.
By the Numbers:
64 deaths (2019–2023) – Only 5 wore lifejackets
$333 fines – Now apply for non-compliance
1m+ Queensland boaties – Must now follow the updated rules
The rules mandate that lifejackets must be worn:
While boating alone or with kids under 12 in open boats <4.8m.
During night travel (sunset–sunrise) in open boats <4.8m.
While crossing coastal bars, in open boats of any size or open deck areas.
Children under 12, always in open vessels underway.
They are also mandatory for certain crafts when crossing bars, including:
Lasers, herons, and other small sailing boats
Pedal boats, inflatable rafts, rowboats (excl. SLSA surfboats), sea/surf kayaks
What The People Say: “This is about saving lives,” said Maritime Safety Queensland.
What to Look For Next: The full article below 👇
2. Halcyon Bayside redefines over-50s living
What’s Happening: Stockland has unveiled plans for Halcyon Bayside, a $500 million over-50s lifestyle community in Redland Bay. Spanning 43 hectares beside Stockland’s Shoreline project, the masterplanned estate will include 536 architect-designed homes and a $35 million lifestyle precinct with views of Moreton Bay.
Why It Matters: Designed over nearly a decade, the development sets a new national benchmark for luxury, low-maintenance living aimed at active downsizers. Think resort vibes with real community.
By the Numbers
536 homes planned across the 43-hectare site
$500M+ investment into Redland Bay
$35M lifestyle precinct featuring The Sailhouse clubhouse
Home sizes range from 236–535 sqm, starting in the low $900,000s
Local Impact: Expect fresh infrastructure, local jobs, and growing appeal for the area as Redland Bay cements its place in Australia’s lifestyle property market.
Clubhouse by the Bay: With a magnesium pool, wellness centre, private cinema and pickleball courts, Halcyon Bayside blends premium design with coastal charm.
What to Look For Next: The full article below.
3. Redlands students dive into future at QUT’s premier Youth Summit
What’s Happening: From July 1 to 4, local Year 11 and 12 students will join over 340 of Queensland’s brightest teens at QUT’s Future You Summit, a week-long immersion into university life at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove.
Why It Matters: The summit helps students explore life beyond school, with industry networking, collaborative workshops and tailored mentorship across disciplines like cybersecurity, climate science and animation.
By the Numbers
341 students from 165 schools across Queensland
205 students from Brisbane and the surrounding areas, including Redland
69% of participants are female
105 of QUT’s 2025 first-year students are alumni
Local Impact: Redland students form part of the summit’s largest regional cohort, showing strong representation in QUT’s flagship youth program.
Campus with a Cause: The Future You Summit helps bridge the gap between school and university, especially for students in suburban and peri-urban areas, with real-world connections and academic insight.
What to Look For Next: Many Redland students return to QUT post-summit. “It really does give them a chance to see their future and get a head start,” said Professor Rowena Barrett.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Redland City Council has adopted a: $503 million budget for 2025–2026 that invests significantly in essential infrastructure and services for the community
$503 million investment in Redlands Coast
An increase in general rates revenue of about $2.13 per week on average to the minimum general rate for a category 1a owner-occupied property, which is most of the city’s owner-occupied properties
Small budgeted operating surplus of $704,000
Capital expenditure program of $151.68 million
Total pensioner rebates of almost $3.5 million, with rate rebates of $335 per year for a full pensioner or $167.50 for a part-pensioner.
World Surfing Conservation Conference 2026 heads: Down the road to the Gold Coast, where it will focus on the $3 billion the sport contributes to the national economy
The Australian National Maritime Museum has awarded: Over $120,000 to 25 projects through the 2025 MMAPSS grants program.
In November 2026, a human-made object will reach a: Light-day from Earth for the first time in history.
Federal judge sides with Meta in lawsuit over: Training AI models on copyrighted books
A 42-year-old Wishart man was charged after: Allegedly riding a stolen motorcycle on the wrong side of Logan Road and fleeing police.
Ancient DNA has revealed a mysterious new: Group of humans in Colombia with no genetic ties to people today.
Backed by over $2.8M in community support: Mater Redland has unveiled state-of-the-art endoscopy theatres, setting a new benchmark for bayside care.
The first details Toyota’s first ever: Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid 👇
In case you missed it, last week’s newsletter👇
6. Upcoming Events
🔧 Pottery Incense Holder & Ritual Kit Workshop – June 28, 2025 – Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland. Craft your own incense holder using pottery techniques blended with mindfulness—tech meets art in a hands-on session.
🍡 Street Feast- Capalaba: June 29, 2025, Get hyped to dine, shop, and chill at Street Feast THIS SUNDAY! We’re delivering good vibes, epic food, and a FREE movie night under the stars!
🎶 Imagine Live! – June 26–28, 2025 (repeat screenings on June 28) – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland. A whimsical performance where audience members help tell Alison Lester’s story through music and play.
✂️ Spinning Birdcage Craft: The Science Behind an Optical Illusion! – June 30 – July 4, 2025 – Old SchoolHouse Gallery. Discover creativity and physics in this hands-on craft workshop where participants create their own optical illusion devices.