Logan investors stir battle for Olympic-standard whitewater park

A battle between two cities over the best spot for an Olympic-standard whitewater park has moved to a new level after calls for financial backing were made.

Logan City Council investigated international courses and spoke with Olympic whitewater athletes.

A BATTLE between two cities over the best spot for an Olympic-standard whitewater park has moved to a new level after calls for financial backing were made.

Logan and Redland city councils have both mooted plans to build a whitewater park which could be used if Queensland wins the right to host the 2032 Olympics.

WHITEWATER PARK PLANS UNVEILED

WHITEWATER PARK PLANS REVEALED

WHITEWATER PARK OLYMPIC BID

WHITEWATER PARK

This month, Logan called for investors to back its $65 million Greenbank park project, prompting scrutiny from conservationists.

In building a business case for the facility at 3793 to 3825 Mount Lindesay Highway, Greenbank, Logan council studied delivery models of existing whitewater parks around the world.

A plan of the proposal

The council decided a public-private partnership, or joint venture, was the best way forward.

Any successful investor in the Logan park would have to consider options for construction, operation and managing the facility.

Before Logan City Council went into caretaker mode this month, administrator Tamara O’Shea said calling on an investor was the logical next step for the project.

“There has been an evidence-based approach to this exciting project from the outset,” she said.

“The leanings acquired so far, and the feedback we expect from the expressions of interest, will ensure council is well-placed to make decisions on a Queensland-first facility that has the potential to deliver significant economic and recreational benefits.”

an aerial view of the proposed Greenbank site.

But Logan and Albert Conservation Association vice president Kathy Faldt said there were better sites and questioned the need for such a facility in Logan.

She said the site included nine heritage-listed mango trees, some as old as 150 years, which needed to be protected.

She also said ratepayers would lose with any private investor pushing for land donations and council discounts.

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“The location in the middle of a biodiversity corridor is not the right spot for this type of facility,” she said.

“Logan council bought the land for conservation but has now rushed through this decision after the original site at Loganholme was ditched when the state government took that land for its Coomera Connector project.

“The community should be consulted on this and a business plan should be part of those discussions.”

In the area’s 2010 masterplan, drawn up after extensive community consultation, there was provision for environmental education and a community garden.