A decrepit council-owned building at Loganholme has been sitting empty and earmarked for demolition for more than 15 years.
It is destined to be razed by the Queensland Government to make way for the Coomera Connector – but possibly not until 2026.
In the meantime, local businesses have unsuccessfully vied for the lease.
The Pacific Highway property was once operated as an antique store.
Now it’s empty and fenced-in, with smashed windows, graffiti-lined walls and overgrown foliage.
One local businesswoman, Jaye Rose, began lobbying Logan City council and the state government in 2008.
Her idea was to establish a haunted-house attraction – a “live, interactive entertainment experience” that would create hundreds of local jobs and drive Logan tourism.
But because of where the land is located – on a “future state-controlled road” in the “Loganholme Tourism Precinct” – council required state government support for development approval, which it didn’t have.
“Both Officers within Council’s Development Assessment Branch and Jaye Rose of Haunted House Attractions have discussed the position of the Queensland Government on any potential development application and been advised clearly by [State Assessment and Referral Agency] and [Transport and Main Road] officers that no approval would be given to a proposed temporary or permanent use within the Antiques Building,” a 2020 council report said.
According to Transport and Main Roads, the building sits in the gazetted Coomera Connector route – known as the “second m1” – and will be resumed to make way for the highway’s second stage of construction.
Ms Rose said she understood the building would “most likely need to be demolished in the future”.
“This makes the building a poor choice for businesses looking to lease it who need to invest a large amount of time and money in permanent infrastructure and facilities as well as renovation of a vandalised space,” a 2020 proposal to Logan City council said.
“However, our needs are far different,” Ms Rose said.
“The very nature of our business means the more ‘used’ looking or ‘patinaed’ a space is, the better for our needs – we do not need to include any permanent infrastructure.
“All our props, sound and lighting equipment are temporary and easily removable.
“We do not need to repair or update the space, other than very basic power, water and of course to a health and safety standard.”
Between 2008 and 2020, Ms Rose received letters of support from a range of community leaders – a state politician, presidents of the local ratepayer’s association and chamber of commerce, major theme park operators and local charities.
But her repeated requests were denied, so she launched the business idea in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.
She said it was a success, but ultimately a “missed opportunity” for Logan tourism, economy and youth.
A Logan City council spokesperson last week said council would “continue to manage the property until further advice is received on the construction of the road corridor in this area”.
“The building is uninhabitable, and measures have been taken to secure the property,” the spokesperson said.
