A $5.5 million Riverine Discovery Centre is to be built overlooking the Albert River at Eagleby – if the state government comes to the party with $5 million.
Logan City Council has allocated $400,000 in its current budget, but the plan is contingent on funding from the South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program.
The city has an environment levy which would be used to partly fund the centre, but the state would be called upon to foot the bulk of the bill.
If the centre comes to fruition, it would have an environmental education display, outdoor nature-based activities, historic displays, a community hub, a cafe and riverview dining, and commercial water-based activities.
Feasibility studies have suggested the project could add $1 million annually to the local economy through visitor spending.
Deputy mayor Jon Raven said community feedback showed residents and visitors want more opportunities to use City of Logan’s waterways.
“The Logan and Albert rivers are already popular for fishing, kayaking, riverbank walks and looking for platypus,” Cr Raven said.
“A Riverine Discovery Centre would allow the community to learn more about getting the balance right between protecting and enhancing our waterways while opening them up for more recreational use.”
Cr Karen Murphy said it would be ideal to complement Eagleby’s Albert River Parklands playground.
“I am very excited about Eagleby having facilities where families can have fun while also learning about protecting our environment and waterways,” Cr Murphy said.
A restaurant on the river isn’t the only dining opportunity being promoted by council.
To boost the local restaurant scene and encourage more footpath and laneway dining, Logan City Council will waive application fees for new operators and existing restaurants wanting to expand into al fresco dining.
Council will also waive annual licence fees for existing and new dining operators.
