Park plan seeking funds
Council approves bold development for Atherton
Tablelands Regional Council has approved the preliminary design of the Priors Creek Precinct but the ambitious $20m project that Mayor Rod Marti says will be comparable to Cairns Esplanade still needs government funding.
Mr Marti said the design elements had been defined and construction drawings would now be created.
“We have committed $8.5m to deliver stage one – between Vernon and Jack streets – and are seeking funding from state and federal governments for additional stages,” he said.
The mayor said the precinct would ultimately feature an urban plaza, 1000-seat amphitheatre, nature-based playground and shared paths.
‘We’ll also be seeking expressions of interest for the public art and freehold lots in the coming weeks,’ Mr Marti said.
“We are speaking to state and federal government, we need a further $12m to develop the public space.
“The freehold space is going to market seeking very specific investors – hotel or apartment-style accommodation, it’s prime real estate, and there can’t be land banking, once an agreement is signed there will be conditions in place.”
Mr Marti said the project would add enormous value to Atherton.
“It is quite an amazing backdrop right next to the CBD,” he said.
“It is perhaps the most exciting thing happening on the Tablelands for a long time.”
He said the precinct would
showcase Indigenous culture, public art and the environment, and improve security and parking for Main St.
The company behind the design, Place Design Group, was responsible for the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation and the Darwin Waterfront Master Plan.