Eaglemont Estate: Springbook Hinterland site bought by Gold Coast City Council for Cableway base

A controversial cableway in the Gold Coast Hinterland is one step closer after a council land buy which Mayor Tom Tate says will change the game for the project. FIND OUT MORE

The Gold Coast City Council has shelled out $10m for a giant 63.17ha site in the Hinterland to become the heart of its nature tourism push – and a base for its cableway.

It was revealed on Tuesday morning the council had secured the Eaglemont Estate, next to Springbrook National Park which is currently occupied by a private home.

Council will now develop a masterplan for the precinct, which will see it transformed.

Mayor Tom Tate said: “It is a huge investment, great value and we will do a masterplan, so that when people get up there, there will be so many things for them to enjoy.

Aerial photos of the Eaglemont Estate site at Springbrook which has been bought by the Gold Coast City Council and will be a potential landing site for the proposed cableway. Picture: Gold Coast City Council

“Maybe a zip-line adventure in there and who knows, potentially it will be a landing spot for the cableway.

“Council has strong support for it and right now officers are doing a more strategic route and I have already met with a proponent in another area which is well advanced and happy for you to present to council their idea. That will happen at a January council meeting, so we can have a look at that and pick which is best for the Gold Coast.

“There will be one-less objection now because we are now the landowners there but the ticking off of the environment study means it will be 12 months before those boxes are ticked off.

“I know there is political will at the state level so the planning part should sail through.”

The estate was previously owned by well-known Gold Coast neurologist Professor John Corbett.

The site would potentially become a base for the cableway.

Mr Tate said improving nature-based tourism would bring more visitors to the city.

“We want to reflect on what is already there, we will do it up and I would like to see an education centre there so you can reflect on the history of the area, indigenous history and the logging back in the 1800s,” he said.

“I really want people to enjoy it.”

Cableways have previously been proposed for Springbrook but have faced strong opposition from environmental groups.

The Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell met with the Mayor of the Gold Coast Tom Tate to discuss a cableway in November. Picture: Nigel Hallett

New Premier David Crisafulli was supportive of a cableway proposal pre-election and has grouped tourism and environment under one portfolio to help drive nature-based attractions.

Councillors voted in early December to work with the state to provide a concept for Springbrook.

A community consultation strategy would be developed from $500,000 in funds set aside.

State Tourism and Environment Minister Andrew Powell, who met with Mr Tate last month to discuss the Cableway and opening up the Hinterland to greater opportunities said there were many opportunities to bring visitors to the city by offering new products.

“We know people come to Queensland for the spectacular landscape – whether it’s world class surfing beaches or pristine rainforest and mountain ranges,” he said.

“The Gold Coast’s proposal to offer a brand-new nature-based tourism product next to the glorious Springbrook National Park will give people yet another reason to visit the Gold Coast.

“Connecting with nature is increasingly important to both international and local visitors, and they are looking for new ways and places to do this.

“Seeing the waterfalls, rainforest and breathtaking views from the Springbrook National Park will ensure we have a new generation of champions keen to protect our environment.”

However, area councillor Glenn Tozer warned building a cableway base at Eaglemont Estate would carry its own challenges.

“The Eaglemont Estate site has not been considered as a cableway terminal in preliminary investigations and this is chiefly because, to access the site, the cableway would have to travel across people’s houses and backyards which would be an unacceptable outcome for Springbrook community,” he said.

“Eaglemont Estate was sold by the Corbett family who had a passion for beautiful gardens and innovation in their sector but were not particularly supportive of invasive tourism options being delivered on-site.

“We are more focused on providing things like tourist accomodation, environmental experiences which align with world heritage areas and unique nature-based experiences.”

It came as council unveiled a short-list of key nature projects it would progress.

They include:

* Numinbah Valley – improvements to the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk and Woonoongoora Eco-Camp

* Austinville – eco-accommodation and trail establishment

* South Stradbroke Island – nature-based tourism enhancements to Tipplers precinct hub

* The Broadwater – eco-cabins and marine tourism experience development

“All of our nature-based tourism projects will combine environmental preservation with enhancing visitor experiences while providing economic growth for the city,” Mr Tate said.

“The shortlisted projects range from large scale to small scale projects which demonstrate sustainable nature-based tourism products and direct benefits to the local community and infrastructure.”

Originally published as Eaglemont Estate: Springbook Hinterland site bought by Gold Coast City Council for Cableway base