COUNCIL proposes to rent out Redland parks to businesses for activities like fitness training, bike hire, mobile animal petting, kayak tours and food trucks.
The Redland City Council proposal is for commercial activities in 31 parks on the mainland and islands which might see competition for space in these public areas.
Mayor Karen Williams said council supported a range of temporary commercial uses to help create vibrant neighbourhoods and communities.
The number of uses would be limited and the space that they would take up would be controlled.
Rules would be in place to ensure activities did not restrict public access to, use and enjoyment of the park.
Business has raised some concerns about the proposal, with Redland Coast Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young saying the plan might hinder small businesses if not done correctly.
"It opens up the potential for competition to start up against bricks and mortar operations," she said.
"For example, the local gym who occupy a tenancy or own real estate may have to compete against a fitness operation who can start up without any, or significantly lower overheads."
Ms Young said the plan had many positives to activate under-utilised public spaces in the community and assist tourism.
"Done correctly it will benefit the community so long as it compliments our existing ecosystem of businesses, it should compliment what we already have. Small business operators should see the gaps in the market and seize those opportunities," she said.
Cr Williams said the plan followed a recommendation in council's Redland Open Space Strategy 2026 which aimed to ensure recreation and leisure was available to everyone.
"In some, people might just want to purchase a takeaway coffee or light snack and, in others, people might want to hire canoes or do stand-up paddle boarding.
"The commercial uses need to be consistent with the purpose of the reserve and are meant to be temporary, low key and are not just about mobile food vans," she said.
Ms Young said a collaborative approach with businesses might attract tourists who would stay and spend for a longer period of time.
"Allowing a recreational hire equipment company to occupy a public space and add to it a pop up food service ... or where a yoga studio wants to take their Saturday morning session to a waterside park, this would be a situation where small businesses already existing in our area could be supported," she said.
Council is inviting the community to have its say on the proposal but consultation closes on November 20,
To make a submission and for information on the proposal, visit council's Your Say Redlands Coast website.
