REDLAND SHIRE ALLIANCE

We are an alliance of local residents and community groups, who believe it is time to slow down, take stock and consider the outcomes and consequences of the urban development taking place in the Redland Shire. We know there are many others in the community who think the same way, but don't know what to do.

The Community Alliance for Responsible Planning (CARP) Redlands Inc was formed in April 2004, immediately after the newly-elected Council's decision to amend the 2003 Draft Redlands Planning Scheme document.

We are an alliance of individuals and community organisations drawn from across the Shire, united to honour and represent the express wishes of the Redlands community to prevent further urban expansion. We stepped into the breach created when the Council broke faith with the people of the Redlands, and voted 7-4 to expand the urban footprint.

By default the leadership role has fallen to the community, and we have shouldered the responsibility for delivering to the State Government clear instruction about the desired future of the Redland Shire. Denied the considerable resourcing, capability, and influence of a representative local government authority, we have used the means made available to us through overwhelming public donations to give the people of the Redlands a voice in their future.

In turn, it appears the people of the Shire were responsible for in excess of 5000 of the 8000 plus submissions received by the Office of Urban Management on the Draft SEQ Regional Plan (closed 28 February), and have delivered an unprecedented 7000 plus submissions to the Redlands Draft Planning Scheme (closed 13 April).

Most recently the people of the Redlands have again made their voices heard through a CARP sponsored Redland Community Survey.

What has CARP achieved so far ?

Formulated a Core Purpose Statement business plan, and published a website.
Lobbied State Government Members and Senior Staff charged with drafting the South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan.
Received a special briefing of CARP members by the Office of Urban Management on the SEQ Draft Regional Plan.
Presented the community's position in letters and articles in the Courier Mail, as well as in the local Bayside Bulletin and Redland Times; we have done the same on ABC and commercial radio, and through our local BayFM Radio.
Distributed Rescue The Redlands Red Letter Information & Submission Packs to Shire residents, generating thousands of submissions to the State Government's Draft SEQ Regional Plan (which closed Feb 28, 2005).
Through the 'Clip and Send' print media campaign in the local newspapers, enabled thousands of Redlanders to send ready made submissions to the draft Redlands Planning Scheme (which closed Apr 13, 2005).
Commissioned a research consultancy firm to undertake a survey of Redland residents' views about the expansion of the urban footprint and the choices shaping Redland Shire's future (May 8 -10, 2005).