Redland City Council will invite public expressions of interest to activate part of the old Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) site following a decision in yesterday’s Council meeting.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had purchased the old DAF site last year and the Expression of Interest (EOI) process would look to generate community and economic benefits while complementing the site’s environmental character.
“This is a beautiful property that has important environmental character as well as great potential for tourism uses,” Cr Williams said.
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“Council will be looking for submissions that support the site’s current natural appeal while also delivering benefits to the city such as nature based tourism, camping or glamping.”
Cr Williams said through the EOI process Council would encourage submissions that also delivered community infrastructure that could be used by the broader community, such as a water park and recreational trails connecting nearby recreational areas.
“This property is surrounded by some amazing walking and riding trails and Council will welcome any submissions that help to extend those trails, as well as delivering other recreational uses such as water parks,” Cr Williams said.
Division 7 Councillor Cr Murray Elliott said the EOI process was an exciting step in opening up the property for community use.
“Council has had its eye on this property for the community for a number of years, so it’s exciting that we can now start looking at what it can be used for and what it can deliver for the city,” he said.
“The site is almost 67,000 m2 and is zoned conservation with about half the land already cleared. Council’s EOI will seek to protect the existing trees and activate the cleared areas.
“Council’s City Plan supports uses such as short-term nature-based tourism that celebrate the property’s local ecosystem, while allowing tourists to experience a naturally wonderful visit to Redlands Coast.”
The EOI will be publically advertised, with community feedback to be invited on the submissions.
