Consider this: Moreton Bay formed about 6000 years ago. Melting ice caps caused the sea levels to rise. Today we are standing in Redland. It is also known as Redland City. Once it was known as Redland Shire. This local government area is part of Greater Brisbane in South East Queensland.
Redland City has a population of 159222 as of June 2021. The city is spread along the southern coast of Moreton Bay. It covers 537.2 square kilometers. Redland City borders Brisbane to the west and north-west. Logan City is to the south-west and south. Its islands are situated north of the City of Gold Coast.
Redlands first attained city status on March 15 2008. It had been a shire since 1949. It was created by merging the Tingalpa and Cleveland Shires. Redland City consists largely of suburban and coastal communities. There is a disjointed urbanization around major suburbs. Bushland is interspersed throughout. There is no clear city centre.
Major suburbs include Capalaba, Cleveland, and Victoria Point. Thornlands and Redland Bay are also major suburbs. Redland Bay is the city’s namesake. This is due to the colour of its fertile soil. North Stradbroke Island and smaller nearby islands comprise the eastern portion of Redlands. These are the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
The area now known as Redlands was initially inhabited by the Jagera, Turrbal, and Quandamooka people. Some locations derive their names from Aboriginal languages. Known historic sites include a bora ring at Mount Cotton. The Quandamooka are recognised as the traditional custodians of North Stradbroke Island.
Europeans first entered Redlands in the late 18th century. They were mapping Moreton Bay. James Cook made observations of Stradbroke Island. Matthew Flinders landed on Coochiemudlo Island in 1799. Robert Dixon later surveyed and named much of the area.
By the 1840s, Cleveland was in contention to become a major port. It would replace Brisbane. However, it was not chosen. This was due to sandbars and shipwrecks. Governor George Gipps gave an unfavourable review during his 1842 visit.
On 11 November 1879, the Tingalpa Division was created. It governed the area east of metropolitan Brisbane. The area around Cleveland split away. It formed the Cleveland Division on 30 May 1885. Both became Shires on 31 March 1903. The Tingalpa council met at Mount Cotton.
On 1 October 1925, a sizeable portion of the Shire of Tingalpa became part of the new City of Brisbane. On 9 December 1948, the Shire of Cleveland was renamed the Shire of Redland. Part of the Shire of Tingalpa was amalgamated into it.
The twentieth century saw significant population growth in Redlands. This was preceded by the construction of the Cleveland railway line. Peel Island became a leper colony. North Stradbroke Island became a hub for sand mining. On 15 March 2008, Redlands was granted city status.
In June 2018, Redland City Council approved a marketing campaign. The city would be branded as “Redlands Coast” with the tagline “naturally wonderful”. The campaign seeks to attract tourists to the city’s coastline. This coastline measures 335 kilometers.
Redland City has many animals and plants. These include koalas, migratory shorebirds, and flying foxes. Scribbly gum forests are also present. It is home to over 1700 recorded native species. Many are under threat from population growth.
Redland City Council operates public libraries. These are located at Capalaba and Cleveland. You can also find them at Victoria Point and Russell Island. The Redland Art Gallery, Redland Museum, and Redland Performing Arts Centre are important cultural facilities.
Redland City also has many heritage-listed sites. These include multiple historic sites of Cleveland. The Cleveland Point Light is one of these. Others are the Grand View Hotel and the Ormiston House Estate.
Redland’s history is rich. It is full of stories from the Quandamooka people and European settlers. It has grown from a small farming village to a thriving city. Redland is a place of natural beauty.