ANYONE looking to open a tourist park along the Logan or Albert Rivers will be provided an added incentive from council.
The incentive, cutting council costs by up to $100,000, is to help nature-based tourism and create more short-stay parks in the region.
Council will defer the infrastructure charges payable for camp sites and tourist parks to a maximum of $100,000.
Leafy bushland areas in the city’s south and west, the upper reaches of the Logan and Albert Rivers and tidal reaches of the lower Logan River are well-suited to nature-based tourism and camping-kayaking experiences, a council statement said.
The deferment of infrastructure charges will significantly reduce the establishment costs for landowners to allow tourists to enjoy their private property locations.
Deputy mayor Jon Raven said tourism contributes more than $340 million each year to the local economy.
“Everyone is welcome in the City of Logan,” Councillor Raven said.
“The majority of visitors to our city are day trippers but we hope to encourage more of them to stay overnight and experience more of what our city has to offer.
“Nature-based tourism is a fast-growing sector and we expect considerable interest from those wanting to enjoy our waterways, rural areas and bushland settings.
“Increasing overnight stays not only boosts our local economy through increased spending, it also creates more local jobs.”
The current Logan Planning Scheme has clear definitions on tourist parks and nature-based tourism.
A tourist park is defined as holiday accommodation in caravans, self-contained cabins, tents or similar structures.
Nature-based tourism is environmentally responsible accommodation such as lodges, cabins, huts and tents that allow tourists to appreciate and help conserve areas of environmental, cultural or heritage value.
Any applications for deferral of infrastructure charges for proposed tourist parks or nature-based tourism must also comply with all other relevant parts of the Planning Scheme.
Picture: Keen fishermen (from left) Glen, Keale and Eric Sprudzans, of Logan Village already appreciate the recreational value of City of Logan waterways which is a key part of the new nature-based tourism strategy.
