An opportunity to create a new tourist drawcard in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland was today given the green light by council.
The Barung Landcare Association Inc. was granted a community lease by council to establish a state of the art environmental education and resource centre in Maleny. Division 5 Councillor Jenny McKay said the new facility would deliver economic benefits to Maleny and the wider hinterland.
"The Barung Landcare Association submitted a strong business case to council to establish a viable community native plant nursery and environmental education resource centre in Maleny. I thank my fellow councillors for supporting the proposal to grant the association a 30 year community lease," Cr McKay said.
"Council is satisfied that this proposed new facility offers strong potential from a tourism point of view. It'll build on our region's reputation in the ecology and environmental sustainability space as part of our commitment to create a healthy, smart and creative Sunshine Coast."
The decision by council to enter into a community lease with Barung Landcare Association is in accordance with the Local Government Regulation 2012.
Stage 1 of the new development is contingent on the Barung Landcare Association sourcing $190,000 for earthworks, power, water and drainage infrastructure. Councillor McKay has committed $80,000 of divisional funding towards the Stage 1 earthworks. The remainder will need to be sourced by the association via community grants and fundraising.
