Government red tape holding up at least $30 million in eco-projects ready to go

A second cableway plan is among hinterland tourism projects worth tens of millions of dollars snared in red tape. These are the proposals stuck on the drawing board.

A second cableway project is among more than tens of millions worth of hinterland tourism projects snared in red tape.

This masthead can reveal plans are on the board for an eco-tourism project called the Kaiala Sanctuary in the Willow Vale area, west of Dreamworld.

Plans show a ridgetop attraction would be served by a cableway from the valley below.

The project is among a number of privately funded proposals held up by red tape, with council – which is also exploring plans for a cableway at Springbrook – pledging to work with the new Crisafulli government to get them over the line.

“We have over $30 million in nature based tourism private investment in a holding pattern awaiting changes to state legislation,” Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer said.

Future eco-tourism projects on the Gold Coast. This is part of an application for the Kaiala Sanctuary cableway, west of Dreamworld.

Mr Tozer said some of the developments would see no removal of trees and introduce significant rehabilitation programs.

Yet the proximity of buildings to a certain tree or waterway may prohibit them, he added.

“It doesn’t make sense when the new LNP government seems so proactive about promoting nature-based tourism opportunities,” he said.

Mr Tozer said council was taking its commitment to new hinterland tourism projects seriously but also had to work with the government to identify legislation which was preventing environmentally responsible developments.

Future eco-tourism projects on the Gold Coast. This is part of an application for the Kaiala Sanctuary cableway, west of Dreamworld, showing the site.

“I’m not talking about applications that want to remove trees and destroy the environment they are trying to promote. But there are a number of applications that need our immediate attention to advance,” he said.

Mr Tozer admitted many people thought he was anti-cableway because he opposed the Springbrook project.

“But the truth is I love the idea of the Kaiala Sanctuary just west of Dreamworld. Already a destination for many tourists to our city, conveniently locating the cableway and cultural centre near Dreamworld seems eminently sensible,” he said.

“What I love most about this project is that it’s entirely privately funded on primarily private land, which means it can navigate around the Native Title implications of other sites, as well as deliver on its environmentally sustainable aspirations.”

Future eco-tourism projects on the Gold Coast. This is part of an application for the Kaiala Sanctuary cableway, west of Dreamworld, showing the location of the project.

Backers of the cableway asked the City to kickstart talks as they seek to meet with officers and the State Government.

Here are other key projects planned for the hinterland:

KAIALA CABLEWAY

The proposed Sanctuary project aims to establish a nature reserve and cable car system spanning across the naturally vegetated freehold and council land in the Wangawallen Conservation Region.

The experience starts west of Coomera and ends at the Darlington Range. The cable car will showcase the area’s natural and culture values. Approximately 750 acres spanning the Darlington Range will be selectively revegetated and developed as a private conservation park.

The proposal includes a recreational and cultural tourist attraction, a research centre, eco-lodge, eateries and wildlife reserve.

Eco-tourism projects planned for the Gold Coast. This is the Numinbah Escape which includes a cafe.

NUMINBAH ESCAPE

An adventure playground built on the site of an old quarry and banana farm. It

will deliver eco-cabins and a function centre. Activities include abseiling, mountain biking, ropes courses, bushwalking and environmental and recreation education.

The total project value is around $15m. The proponents operate the award-winning Treetop Challenge businesses at Currumbin,

The challenge is existing laws prevent access to creeks and clearings within a certain distance from the planned structures.

Future eco-tourism projects for the Gold Coast. This graphic shows the plans for the Bower Estate.

BOWER ESTATE

An award-winning event venue on a spectacular Natural Bridge property which

has views of the waterfalls off the Springbrook escarpment. The new development, which requires investment of more than $10 million across several years, proposes converting currently temporary structures into permanent buildings and adding luxury eco-

cabins and First Nations cultural experiences. Bushfire laws are making the conversion of the temporary building to a permanent building challenging.

Boomerang Farm at Mudgeeraba.

BOOMERANG FARM

Has been bought by a consortia which is planning a $10m investment in upgrading the function centre to become a world leading arts and gallery precinct. Design work is being led by award-winning architect Jesse Bennett. Added to golf will be five new pickleball courts to go with improvements to the downhill mountain biking trails. Delays are possible due to laws creating unrealistic environmental buffers.

Future eco-tourism projects for the Gold Coast. This the glamping project at Natural Arch.

NATURAL ARCH

Glamping has been given the go ahead at the old Two Pines Café site with upgrades worth $5m. The project includes the fully renovated and upgraded Two Pines Café providing a

restaurant option for the influx of hinterland tourists to the area.

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Originally published as Government red tape holding up at least $30 million in eco-projects ready to go