New eco resort ‘fantastic’ for tourism

A NEW eco resort is planned for a Gold Coast property in a move hailed by tourism leaders as a major boost for the city’s “green behind the gold”.

Developers Ian and Roelien Powell have filed plans with the Gold Coast City Council to create a tourist park on a Springbrook property.

Under the plan, which is now before council staff, the eco resort would feature 12 self-contained two-bedroom cabins which would be developed over three stages.

In a planning report sent to councillors, the applicant argues that the cabins would “provide economic strength to the Springbrook community by increasing the locality’s capacity to provide a sustainable eco-tourism facility”.

Area councillor Glenn Tozer welcomed the concept and said it was timely as the Hinterland prepared for a busy summer tourist season.

“There is a demand and appetite for sensitive ecotourism accommodation around our world heritage national park,” he said.

“If this application is able to deliver an environmentally sensitive solution which could attract new people to Springbrook Mountain, then now is the time.”

The project is planned for a 40,000sq m private property on Repeater Station Rd which is owned by the developer.

It comes as tourism leaders have pushed to highlight the Hinterland as a place of great interest to visitors, talking up the ‘green behind the gold’.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said the proposal was “fantastic”.

“It is another great addition to the huge offerings we have here on the Gold Coast,” he said. “It could also lead into the great walks from there up through into Currumbin when these are eventually created.

“I am really happy about this and what is happening in the Coast is giving people the confidence to invest which is really heartening.”