Coastcare’s environmental hub edges closer to reality

The dream of creating a homebase for our volunteer organisation on a discretely set-back block in bushland facing Elizabeth Street is finally gaining traction.

In September 2022, Redland City Council approved a five-year Trustee lease, preceded by a three-year Licence to Occupy for Coastcare to develop an Environmental Hub and storage facility. The 340 square metre site includes an existing concrete slab, the original base of the old fire-brigade then gymnasium, adjacent to the gravel track opposite Energex.

Over the past two months we’ve undertaken site surveys, soil tests, concrete slab X-rays, engineering assessments and liaised with architect, Greg Tollis, all thanks to a $5,000 Council Infrastructure grant.

The Hub will provide storage for work equipment, including the saturated steam weeder and a storage trailer, as well as space, both indoors and outdoors for training and meetings.

With investigative works almost complete, Coastcare is now actively seeking grant funding to cover the construction of a new Colourbond shed, 9.7 metres long x 8 metre wide plus a 3 metre verandah. Due to the instability of the soils the engineer has advised we can’t rely on the old slab, and a new one is needed with two-metre deep footings around the perimeter of the existing footprint.

We’ll keep you posted on progress in next month’s newsletter and provide a detailed update at the General Meeting on Saturday, 6 April.

Redland City Council is proud to provide funding for the “Site development and Stage One Construction of an Environmental Hub for Coochiemudlo Island Coastcare” as part of the Community Instructure grant program to assist the Redlands community.