Gold Coast council gives green light to South Stradbroke eco-resort

First Nations people are backing the building of the state’s first six-star eco-tourism resort on the Gold Coast.

• First six-star eco-tourism resort on South Stradbroke Island
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First Nations people are backing the building of the state’s first six-star eco-tourism resort.

 

Jabree Ltd, the authorised indigenous body representing South Stradbroke First Nation peoples, has entered into an agreement under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, paving the way for the development on South Stradbroke Island.

Pandana with its boomerang shaped pool – the new nature-based eco-tourism resort planned for South Stradbroke Island.

The project on the former McLaren’s Landing site, proposed by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd, will feature 40 “eco-friendly luxurious glamping tents” and a boomerang-shaped pool.

Centre for Indigenous Policy director Wesley Aird acknowledged the clearance was the essential first step in Pandana Capital’s quest to secure state government and council approvals.

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“The Cultural Heritage Report for Pandana is one of the more significant assessments that Jabree has produced in over 10 years of practice,” Mr Aird said.

“We’re also enthused with Pandana’s further plans to work closely with Jabree in creating indigenous interpretative and tourism opportunities at the destination. Such a genuine involvement of First Nation peoples would provide this nature-based tourism facility with bona fide credentials, nationally and internationally.

“Speaking personally, my broader family has had a long association with South Straddie and I’m confident Pandana will steward these leasehold lands with dignity, care and respect.”

Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell said council welcomed the application for a new, high-quality eco-tourism offering.

“It’s a sign of confidence in our city that the private sector is showing interest in pursuing such projects,” Cr Caldwell said.

“As a city we need to continually improve and diversify our tourism offering and eco-tourism is a sector of the market we want to embrace.”

Planning chair Cameron Caldwell — we need to improve our tourism offering. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Cr Caldwell said the island had limited opportunities for commercial activities and this was one of the few designated sites.

The council would undertake a “thorough assessment of the application” which the Bulletin understands could take six months.

“The previous tourism operation closed and the site has become derelict, and I know that the applicant has an improved environmental outcome at the top of their mind,” Cr Caldwell said.

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