More than $630,000 in state government funding has been allocated for the renovation of a property partially owned by Shane Rendalls, a councillor in south-east Queensland. The project aims to enhance local job opportunities by training 24 workers through the state government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work scheme. The funding announcement has raised eyebrows due to the political connections involved, particularly with the Liberal-National Party.
Shane Rendalls co-owns an expansive property on Russell Island, located east of Brisbane, with Dan Golin, local builder and president of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce. The property, which was purchased for $975,000 in April 2022, is set to undergo renovations that include upgrading seven cabins and a three-bedroom house. The renovations will also serve as a training ground for workers to earn a Certificate 1 in construction.
The funding agreement for the project was finalized in July, with Skill360, managed by BUSY At Work, designated to oversee the renovations. According to the state government, the renovated facilities will provide essential community services, including crisis accommodation and a community centre.
Political ties have come into focus as Rebecca Young, the current member for Redlands, received support from both Rendalls and Golin during the recent state election. Rendalls publicly endorsed Young, stating, “Rebecca Young has always been a strong supporter of SMBI, helping to bring investment, jobs, and opportunity to the islands.” Golin actively campaigned for Young, distributing how-to-vote cards during the election.
In a statement, Ros Bates, the Minister for Employment and Training, clarified that funding decisions fall solely under the department’s jurisdiction. The government has confirmed it will not operate any further programs on the property once the current renovations are completed. Instead, the facilities will be managed by Good Wilma Ltd, a company registered in June, with Golin and the Rendalls listed as operators.
Rendalls emphasized that the property was designated as a training location for BUSY At Work, clarifying that no funding was received as a venue. He stressed that the arrangement was made prior to the current government and reinforced their commitment to community service. “We have established a not-for-profit organization focused on providing affordable housing for vulnerable older women and safe housing for victims of domestic violence,” he stated.
No plans for building a dedicated community centre have been established; instead, the house is intended to serve as a communal area for residents. Golin assured that the owners would cover any future renovations, ensuring that BUSY At Work would not benefit financially from the project. “We certainly won’t be profiting from any of the works we do; the vision of the property is to give back to the most vulnerable people of the community,” he stated.
The project has gained visibility through Young’s social media, where she highlighted the training initiative. “Skill360 is training 24 locals on Russell Island in construction while transforming housing into vital community space,” she posted on Facebook in August. Young has met with Rendalls multiple times since her election, reinforcing their collaborative efforts in addressing community needs.
In her statement, Young acknowledged the significance of the facilities in combating domestic violence in Queensland. “The safety of victim-survivors is one of the highest priorities for me, which is why I welcome additional domestic violence accommodation for the Redlands,” she said.
As the renovations progress, the community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what long-term impacts they will have on local residents. Redland City Council and BUSY At Work have been approached for further comment regarding the project and its implications.
