✅ Redlands officially given Olympic venue for Brisbane 2032
Volume 41: Redlands Blues Fest | Sandbags available for gig wet approaching Redlands | Whale protects surfer from bloodthirsty shark and heaps more
📬 Welcome back, it’s Thursday again - March 27.
Today's newsletter is 1,727 words, an 8-minute read.
Stay dry out there this weekend ☔️
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Redlands officially granted a Brisbane 2032 Olympic venue
A Note From: The Editor
$24M Fire Ant: Blitz targets SEQ Hotspots
Trending: We took a sneak peek over the fence of the Birkdale Whitewater facility…
Around the Web (Snippets): Whale protects surfer from bloodthirsty shark, Fire ant threat grows, An 'owldorable' mystery and more
Upcoming Events
Redlands Weather Forecast and Tides
Live National Housing Price Index
The Weekly Dream Gig
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1. One Big Thing: Redlands officially helping host the 2032 Olympics
What’s Happening: The Queensland Government’s Delivering 2032 and Beyond plan has finally been released and outlines major infrastructure projects ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, officially including the new Redland Whitewater Centre in the Birkdale Community Precinct.
Why It Matters: Developed after a 100-day review, the plan focuses on venues like Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park and the National Aquatic Centre in Spring Hill.
Local Impact: After much anticipation, the Redland Whitewater Centre will officially host canoe slalom events in 2032 and become a tourism and community hub, enhancing the area’s economy and visibility while promoting water sports.
Making Waves: The Birkdale site’s development is part of a broader push to spread Olympic benefits beyond Brisbane’s core, cementing Redlands’ role in the Games.
What To Look For Next: Design and development timelines are expected soon, with local stakeholders involved in planning to ensure the centre aligns with Birkdale’s environmental and social goals.
2. A note from the editor: 2032, bring it on!
What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the next seven years are for us.
With the Brisbane 2032 venues officially confirmed this week, it became real.
Honestly, it’s a little hard to fathom.
Whoever honestly thought in our lifetime that Queenslanders would get an Olympic Games?
Maybe Australia would get a football World Cup in a few decades…
Maybe the country would get another Olympics in Sydney or Melbourne…
But nobody really thought it’d be us.
Born and bred in Queensland, growing up through the 1990s and into my teens in the early 2000s, I have the fondest memories of major sporting events and the nation coming together and getting around what felt like as 'one'.
Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games..
It was the best.
The nostalgia of watching those events on TV and feeling a sense of unity with friends, family and across the country was real.
It was like everyone stopped what they were doing to celebrate something bigger than themselves with the Sydney 2000 Olympics, especially having a certain magic, and it’s wild to think we’re about to experience something similar but even more personal.
The Road To Sydney 2000
Back in 2000, I was lucky to be there after my parents’ group of friends coordinated going to stay with the only Sydney family we all knew to get amongst the action.
Packed to the brim in the Ford Falcon station wagon, for young kids, it felt like the longest drive in the world getting from the Sunshine State down to the big smoke.
(There weren’t as many bypasses back then…)
At Mum and Dad’s friends’ house, I think we’d crammed about 30 people into the place for the 10-day party (they had a big place).
Each day, the families would make plans and travel out with snacks packed to watch events, kids in tow, and songs on the buses to and from the game.
The city was so busy, crowded, and exciting for the parents just as much as the kids.
By night, I recall families getting together to cook big barbecues and watch Roy and HG, which I didn’t really get, but that all the parents loved.
I remember thinking for the first time, the Sydney weather was too cold compared to Queensland’s, but the kids played in the background and outside, full of energy, knowing something fun, exciting, and worth celebrating was happening.
Now, I don’t know if all my parents’ friends were in the same circle—working and middle-class Aussies all the way through—but they worked hard, went on holidays together, and gathered to watch sport whenever something big like this was on.
It’s what we did.
I recall my parents and whoever we were with cheering wildly at the TV, seeing Aussies rip through the pool, breaking world records on many occasions.
The nostalgia of watching those events and feeling a sense of unity across Australia was real.
Queensland’s time
Now, times are tough, we know it and feel it, and not everyone’s on board, just like with all things, but global events like this are there to help celebrate and look for the good in humanity amongst all the other stuff going on.
All eyes are on Queensland for the next seven years, and we’re 100% on the 2032 party bus until we get there.
After all, it’s the Olympics, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us, and it’s our time to celebrate.
We’re excited, ready and say bring it on!
Aussie Aussie Aussie 🇦🇺💪
3. $24M Fire Ant Blitz Targets SEQ Hotspots
What’s Happening: The Queensland Government is injecting $24 million over two years to tackle invasive fire ants. The funding will boost aerial treatments and add 12 extra frontline contractors.
Why It Matters: Redland City, sitting within the fire ant suppression zone, is a key target. Without action, local parks, schools, and sports fields face increased health risks and economic damage.
By the Numbers:
• 5 km per year: Fire ants’ spread rate—up to 30 km under ideal conditions.
• $60 million: Total national funding this year, falling short of the $200–$300 million needed annually.
• 40%: Potential agricultural output loss if fire ants continue spreading, causing over 100,000 extra medical visits yearly.
Local Impact: Cyclone Kirrily has worsened fire ant numbers, putting the Redlands on high alert. Residents and sports clubs are struggling to keep these pests at bay.
What The People Say: ISC’s Reece Pianta warns, “Families spraying harsher chemicals in their backyards, sporting clubs battling ants on ovals.”
What To Look For Next: The ISC is urging federal funding of $378.56 million for 2027–2031 to boost suppression efforts.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Sandbags are available again for Redlands residents as: More big wet weather approaches
Check out this whale that protected a surfer from a: Bloodthirsty shark
Henry Pike says the 2025/26 Budget: fails Redlands and favours politics over progress.
Redland City Councillor Julie Talty has been: Re-elected as Deputy Mayor
An unusual Snowy Owl with: Orange feathers is an ‘Owldorable’ mystery
Redlands Coast Museum is hosting: ‘Boss,’ an exhibit honoring G.J. Walter, a respected baker and businessman, highlighting his contributions to early civilisation in the Redlands City region
The auction for xbt.com, (the ultimate Bitcoin domain name) just: Started with bids already in the millions
Parks and playgrounds have: Reopened around the city following Cyclone Alfred but you still need to be careful
One of the largest and most powerful healthcare companies in the world: UnitedHealth Group, just scrubbed divisive ‘DEI’ (diversity, equity and inclusions) content from its website
Gympie Music Muster 2025 drops full lineup: 99 artists set for 28–31 August in Amamoor Creek.
Nick Kyrgios helped Disney+ launch: ESPN streaming through its platform for all Aussies and Kiwis this week
🕰 Last week’s newsletter:
6. Upcoming Events
🚗🚗 Bayside Vehicle Restorers Club 38th Swap Meet: March 30, 2025 – Ormiston State School, Dundas St East, Ormiston. Entry from $10 for swap sites (includes driver entry). Shoppers pay $5, kids under 12 are free.
🎸 Redlands Coast Blues Festival 2025: March 30, 2025 – A day of soulful tunes, electric energy, and good vibes! From 11:45 AM to 4:30 PM, Mark Doherty sets the stage, followed by Robin Jones from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Expect food stalls, kids’ activities, and a killer festival lineup.
🎨 Old SchoolHouse Gallery Art Exhibition “A Closer Look”: March 6–30, 2025 – Old SchoolHouse Gallery, Cleveland. Featuring a diverse collection of artworks from talented local artists.
🍷 Sunset Wine & Spirit Tasting: March 21 – September 5, 2025 – Various locations across Redlands Coast. Enjoy wine and spirit tastings paired with breathtaking sunset views.
🎂 Sweet As Can Bee Cake Decorating Class: March 29, 2025 – Cordies Cake Supplies, Capalaba. Hands-on cake decorating class focusing on bee-themed creations from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
🏛️ Redland Museum Open Day and Rebrand Launch: March 29, 2025 – Redland Museum, Cleveland. Special exhibits, family activities, and celebration of the museum’s new look from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.