Register here!

WELL, L👀KIE HERE!! 

What's inside this week?

⚓Coochie Bus - All aboard! But only if you're a member!

⚓Update on the VP West development
⚓Lest We Forget 'A Note From The Front'

⚓Mainland Parking; Access Review - Update from Local Government
⚓Have Your Say! Redland City Council Survey

Scroll to the end for 'What's on in October' and 'Standing Items' for events &  key contacts on Coochie 👇👇👇

⚓ From the Helm⚓

It seems the Coochie Progress crew have made quite the splash this week after a well-attended quarterly public meeting on Saturday.

For those who missed the live broadcast, I’ve transcribed some of the most important details and turned them into articles, particularly the hot topics of mainland parking and the proposed new development. Both have plenty of ripples worth watching.

Meanwhile,  Redland City Council has just dropped an anchor of its own: a new community survey asking how we feel about where our rates are being spent. I’ve included the link below, because I know plenty of islanders (myself included!) will want to steer their opinions into that conversation.

This years Remembrance Day service was beautifully done, blue skies, calm seas (well, breezes), and a strong turnout to honour those who served. Lest We Forget. See below for a lovely poem by Roger.

And lastly, remember those fearless jetty jumpers I mentioned a few weeks ago? Since the new partitions went up, I’ve noticed far fewer daring dives and mid-air acrobatics. Seems only the bendiest of youth can still make it up there. Have you noticed the same?

Until next tide,

Adaire Palmer

Editor, Coochie Community Online
Aboard Adaire to Dream

Coochie Bus Update!

The Coochie Bus now requires passengers to be members of Coochie Progress following advice from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The change came after an incident and formal review that found the service didn’t meet the legal definition of a “community transport service,” since it served everyone — not a particular group. To stay compliant without paying around $5,000 for full Operator Accreditation (and losing most volunteer drivers), the bus is now restricted to Progress members only.

✅ Membership is $5 per year and can be paid on the bus.
✅ Bus passes include membership.

🚫 Visitors and tourists aren’t currently covered, but Progress is looking at options.

📞 Info: 0437 559 046 | 🌐 coochieprogress.org/about-the-bus

Bottom line: It’s a small formality that keeps the beloved Coochie Bus on the road and in community hands.

Read the full version here...

New Development on VP West update

Information from the Coochie Progress Public Meeting held Sat 8 Nov via Lance Hewlett, local councillor

In his public address to the attendees of the Coochie Progress Public Meeting, Local Councillor Lance Hewlett addressed several concerns, with the proposed development on the Western side of the island, with a summary below:

Council has received a proposal for a 24-lot residential subdivision on Coochiemudlo Island, zoned Low Density Residential and still in early assessment. While it meets zoning criteria, residents are deeply concerned about the lack of long-term infrastructure planning, particularly mainland parking at Victoria Point, road capacity, stormwater drainage, and the island’s environmental integrity and character. Council confirmed parking and access strategies for the mainland are under review but admitted progress is slow and priorities shift yearly. Residents are calling for proactive planning and transparency to ensure future developments don’t further strain island resources or erode what makes Coochie unique.

Read the full update here....

Watch the live broadcast here...

Lest We Forget

Thankyou to talented writer Roger Whiting for this moving poem

Mainland Parking Update - from Cr Lance Hewlett

HAVE YOUR SAY! 📢

Have your say on priorities for Council’s 2026–2027 Budget

Redland City Council is seeking feedback from the community to help inform the development of the 2026–2027 Redland City Council Budget.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said the feedback received from a short survey would help guide Council in prioritising services during budget discussions starting in early 2026.

“Council takes a number of matters into consideration when making decisions about the Budget,” the Mayor said.

Read More...

Have your say - do the survey here!

Coochie - Your Community; Your Contribution🏝🤝😍

📬 Got an idea, event, or organisation you’d like featured? Hit reply to this email, or send a message in a bottle (aka Facebook Messenger) or to editor@coochiecommunityonline.com.

If you're looking to make a complaint to council, head to the bottom of this newsletter. You'll also find other info that might be useful.

Together, we’ll build a community resource that every Coochiemudlian (and our ML neighbours) will be glad to have in their inbox.

Artisans on Coochie

Celebrating Merrett Keech

ART AND ISLAND

Introducing the art and artists of Coochiemudlo.

Growing up in Cleveland and now living on island, MERRETT KEECHs’ work draws on a long engagement with bay island life. This experience finds expression in her palette of earth and blue, her deeply felt images and advocacy for life and growth between sand and water and her use of found materials such as ferry rope, crab shell and cuttlefish bones.

Arts and crafts, creating, problem solving and designing have always been a central focus in Merretts’ life, directing her to develop her passion, skills and experience through University, a career in art education and her own arts practice. Often working on several projects at once, Merrett enjoys the challenge of responding directly to

the materials and issues immediate to hand and heart, maintaining creative dialogue in the play one project against another.

Curlew and Ross Street Galleries are open - Friday – Sunday 10 - 2.

Merrett Keech “All is well ...” Acrylic on Canvas, 78 x 52 cm, 2023

*Note from Adaire: A few days after my boat was blown ashore during a Force 10 Gale in December 2021, (I was onboard at the time and it was a pretty scary experience), I saw the ‘All Is Well’ painting by Merrett. Seeing this painting was calming and I knew I had to have a copy to grace the walls of ‘Adaire to Dream’ (my boat). If a picture ever says a thousand words, this is it for me!

Events on Coochie 📅

Coochie Progress Strategic Planning Day

Standing items

Your portal for information about Coochie

🌴Stay Connected on Coochie 🌴

Life on Coochiemudlo Island is all about community. Whether you’re here full-time, part-time, or visiting, it’s easy to get involved and feel at home.

From emergency services and medical contacts to local clubs, sports, and social groups, there are plenty of ways to connect.

Looking for a Justice of the Peace? Want to join the Progress Association, Men’s Shed, or Recreation Club? Keen to play tennis, pickleball, or keep fit at the gym (once it reopens) Or maybe you’d like to explore art, craft, music, or gardening with fellow islanders?

You’ll find it all in one handy place.

👉 Check out the full list of community contacts here

It’s your go-to resource for staying safe, connected, and part of our wonderful island life. 

📅Community Calendar📅

Want to know what's coming up? You don't need to wait for us to share, check the calendar right here!

Credit: Angela Hoskins for this wonderful resource 🥰

Artisan Alley 

Redland City Council 

Want to make a complaint? Report an issue?

Find out what week your bin goes out? Watch the latest Public Council Meeting? Do that here!

Here is information on how Coochiemudlo residents can contact Redland City Council for various issues.

Individuals can report issues such as potholes, trees, roads, paths, rates, planning & development, and graffiti by phone, email, or submitting a contact form.

Residents can also give feedback, lodge complaints, or seek assistance from the council.

Report an Issue

Use this form to contact council

Redland City Council Public Meetings

Redland City Council Meeting Webcast offers an archive of past meetings for public viewing.

Have questions?

Visit the help page for assistance.

Did you know you can access recordings of General Meetings, Special Council Meetings, and Special Budget Meetings?

Stay informed about important decisions and discussions within the council.

Visit the Redland City Council Public Meetings archive here.