Tourism facility approved

A NEW eco-tourism facility proposed for Mt Mort has been given approval by Ipswich City Council.

Planning and Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said council had approved an application for the establishment of the facility on the Spicers Hidden Vale property on Grandchester-Mt Mort Rd.

Cr Tully said the applicant planned to create a camping site in the south eastern corner of one of the lots.

“Under the proposal on-site accommodation will be provided in the form of 10 permanent timber platforms on which tents can be located,” he said.

“Tourists visiting the site will be able to take part in guided bush walks and the facility will include on-site camping accommodation and areas for preparing meals and dining.

“People will be driven to the site by bus to a location away from the camping ground and they will then walk to the site via three existing tracks which will also provide vehicle access to the eco tourism facility.”

Cr Tully said Spicers Hidden Vale was situated on a 12,000 acre working cattle station.

The property offers boutique hotel accommodation centred around an historic homestead and offers everything from bushwalking, orienteering and clay pigeon shooting, to beauty treatments and fine dining in Cotton's Restaurant.

Cr Tully said the applicant would be required to provide council with an infrastructure contribution of $4083 towards roadworks in the area.

Division 10 councillor David Pahlke welcomed the move by Spicers Hidden Vale to establish a new facility on its property at Grandchester.

“The city is fast gaining a reputation as an alternative destination for day trippers and visitors looking for something different to the traditional trip to the beach,” Cr Pahlke said.

“Ipswich now offers a wide variety of choices and this new development will cater for the growing eco-tourism market which will also attract more visitors to our city.