Council’s new major project for the northern Gold Coast

Gold Coast City Council has snapped up an 88 hectare piece of farmland in the region’s northern suburbs, bringing with it exciting plans.

THE Gold Coast City Council is about to sign off on a deal to buy 88 hectares of greenfield farmland it wants to turn into park and sporting fields in the booming north.

The contract to buy Enklemann Farm on Stanmore Road, Yatala, is expected to be settled next month. A price has not been disclosed.

Negotiations to buy the land started a year ago after predictions an 65,000 extra people would settle in the region in the next decade.

The property, previously owned by farmer Kirrel Enklemann, has long been the subject of debate for residents who were concerned the farm would turned into an industrial site.

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The Enklemann Farm property on Stanmore Road under council contract.

In 2010, seven years before his death, Mr Enklemann commissioned an artist to sketch a future design of the property. It included shared residential and green space.

In 2013, residents launched a petition to amend the town plan to rezone the land from industrial to low impact. Mr Enklemann was the first to sign.

Area councillor Donna Gates said she had been fighting against industry zoning the property since 2007.

“Around that time (2007) the site was even visited by our planning committee members to show them how inappropriate it was,” Cr Gates said.

“I was never able to get the zoning change, we adopted our next planning scheme for future industry, but I managed to get it up to become an investigation area.

“We had several meetings with Mr Enklemann, he was supportive of what the community wanted. Knowing how the locals felt I didn’t want to lose the property to industry — now that is no longer a worry.”

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Historical Enklemann Farm suggested plans from 2010.

Cr Gates said the property would be held by the council for the future. “The north is growing so fast we are going to need that space.

“It is really such an exciting purchase, the Albert River winds its way though the most beautiful parcel of land. It is in my opinion the most beautiful piece of recreational land within our city’s boundaries.”

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“I really wouldn't like to restrict the plans for it but I can say it will be used for sporting clubs and recreation uses into the future.”

Al Newcombe, who has lived on the border of the Enklemann farm for over a decade, said the purchase was the realisation of his former neighbour’s plans.

“Kirrel would come to the back fence and talk from time to time,” Mr Newcombe said. “He was always getting around on his property hand picking dangerous weeds.

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Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates

“He really cared for the place and the animals on it.”

“I am glad they are saving the land. Its future use was always a concern for everyone around here.”

Fellow neighbour Steve Lee said he was pleased to see Mr Enklemann’s legacy live on.

“I heard Kirrel had wanted to see it go for education use, so as long as it is used for recreation like they are saying, it is a good thing,” Mr Lee said.

“I always saw him side saddling his quad bike gathering sticks around the property. He was an easygoing guy.

“I don't think he owned a pair of shoes, he was always in bare feet — kind of traditional like that.”

Northern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce President Gary Mays said the purchase was a good indication of the growth expected over the next decade.

“It is a hell of a large block of land they are purchasing,” Mr Mays said.

“It is positive. Obviously there is a lot more happening up there than what we knew about — council are actually planning for the future.”

“Yatala is only industrial at the moment so it really does show the anticipation of a northern residential area. I hope they picked it up at a good price.”