Redland City Council has been successful in securing State funding for the stage two expansion of its IndigiScapes Environment Education Centre.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams welcomed the $916,137 Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (2017- 19 LGGSP).funding towards the $1,526,895 stage two costs.
“Ongoing State support and investment in projects such as this is absolutely essential for the Redlands,” Cr Williams said.
“Council is committed to working with all levels of government to seek the support for projects and vital infrastructure needed to support our growing community.”
The announcement follows an earlier State Government Grant of $109,800 alongside Council’s contribution of $73,200 toward the completion of a new nursery shed and shade areas.
Cr Williams said the new funding support recognised that the project would help create as many 16 full-time equivalent jobs and boost economic activity through visitor and tourism growth.
“The five-year $3.7 million expansion of Redlands IndigiScape Centre at Capalaba will also have major role in enabling the City’s environmental commitments,” Cr Williams said.
“Recognised widely for its role in environmental education, the stage two expansions of the visitor centre facilities will further expand the Centre’s popularity and importance.
“Stage two includes expansion of the café increasing visitor capacity and providing better bush tucker experiences.
“Alterations will be made to existing internal entry point and public amenities with additional external public amenities added and the installation of an entry statement and way finding.
“The new work is set to begin in early 2018 and be completed by May 2019. It will include construction of the “welcome to Country” space featuring cultural interpretation of the Quandamooka people.”
“Divisional Councilor, Cr Murray Elliott said he had been pleased to join the Minister and Mayor in August for the beginning of stage one work on a bigger and better native plant nursery at the Centre.
“The Centre’s nursery is a popular source of native plants for the community who annually trade their weeds for trees.
“It also plays a significant role as a source for propagating truly indigenous local native plant stock for Council’s planting work across the City.
“The funding of the new stage two works marks another exciting part of the larger project ambitions for the centre.
“Future planned Centre expansion work will include a new theatrette and expanded gardens and garden walkways.
“This completed IndigiScapes project will have enormous benefit in cementing the Centre’s role as a landmark environmental education resource centre and visitor destination.”