Plans have been lodged for the potential development of a new high-end sustainable eco-tourism project on Queensland’s South Stradbroke Island.
A development application for the proposed Pandana South Stradbroke Island calls for 40 eco-friendly luxurious glamping tents with bathrooms, set in bushland and spread along 230-metres of beachfront.
According to the application by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd, the project has the potential to be a “jewel in the crown for Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast tourism”.
The location of the nature-based project is the former wedding and function venue on the defunct McLaren’s Landing site which Pandana Capital acquired in mid-2020.
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Pandana Capital is an Australian company, owned by a group of Australian investors with expertise in hospitality, tourism, marketing, corporate finance and property development. Most of Pandana’s investors are linked to successful hospitality operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Northern NSW, Gold Coast and Bali, either by direct ownership, operational capacity or investment.
In its application, the firm said:
“Pandana’s vision, with the approved DA, is a chance to change the trajectory of this destination. It is an opportunity to improve the offering and operations, creating a sustainable ecotourism destination that delivers on South Stradbroke’s unique but unrealised potential.”
Hamish Jordan, Director, Pandana Capital said: “South Straddie rewards visitors with an experience of stunning simplicity. We believe the Pandana vision is an opportunity to realise the potential of this pocket of the island and create a sustainable operation that is in sync with its natural beauty and appeal. Our goal is to deliver an offering that traditional land-owners, locals and visitors can take pride in.”
An initial investment of $12 million will go into the site’s overhaul, which will also include food and beverage outlets that showcase produce from nearby Moreton, Stradbroke and southeast Queensland. Pandana will also cater for recreational boat visitors, nature-based conferences, events, cultural tourism and more, The Gold Coast Bulletin reports.
The proposal has already won the support of the Indigenous body representing South Stradbroke First Nation peoples, with Centre for Indigenous Policy director Wesley Aird saying the group was “enthused with Pandana’s further plans to work closely with Jabree in creating Indigenous interpretative and tourism opportunities” on the island.
If approved, Pandana Capital forecasts the eco-tourism project will take approximately 3-4 months to open, with a “100% tree avoidance plan” that vows to preserve and protect existing native trees on site.
See pandana.com.au