PROTECTED land in the Birkdale Community Precinctmay see interactive nature walks, eco-friendly stay options, and even tree-house accommodation to help facilitate citizen science projects.
With the land rich in protected ecology and environmental values, Redland City Council is encouraging people to consider the area's natural assets as they share their ideas for future uses of the land.
Locals have until May 4 to voice ideas on what they want on the land.
The land has a ecological corridor along the lower Tingalpa and Coolnwynpin Creek catchments and links with a network of conservation reserves and protected areas, with almost two-thirds of the precinct being protected by an environmental covenant.
Mayor Karen Williams said the protections meant the precinct's habitat, wildlife and heritage would be safe.
"I want to make it really clear that these areas are preserved for future generations and will be enhanced and connected to make areas of outstanding ecological importance to our wildlife," she said.
"That doesn't exclude the community from being able to access and enjoy these beautiful areas in the future, as some low-impact 'tread-lightly' ideas that are respectful of their environment are possible."
She said the community would always be the custodians of the protected conservation area which covered almost 40 hectares of the precinct.
"It brings to mind such endeavours as interactive nature walks, both day and night-time, and small scale, eco-friendly stay options, such as camping, glamping, perhaps even tree-house accommodation that help facilitate citizen science projects," she said.
Cr Williams said council had undertaken extensive environmental and cultural studies and had implemented management plans for the precinct to protect its unique values.
Cr Paul Bishop said the site reminded us of the lessons that nature had been offering well before and since European arrival.
"Set within ancient land and cradled in the curves of a beautiful creek, this area offers an amazing opportunity for individuals and families to reframe our appreciation of economy, ecology and land use planning, as we reconnect with bountiful ecosystems within this place."
Lat27 landscape architect designer Damian Thompson said reconnecting with nature had become even more critical in recent times as people travelled less and focussed more on their own backyards.
Mr Thompson was one of five urban design and landscape architecture teams who created ideas boards for the precinct based around themes inherent to the site. His theme was Ecology and Environment.
"This site presents an incredible opportunity to connect locals and visitors alike with the unique, largely unknown ecological attributes of this stretch of Tingalpa Creek," he said.
A June 2020 study of the site's ecology, commissioned by Redland City Council, discovered 219 flora species on the precinct, of which 146 were considered native species, and a total of 38 fauna species.
Future uses for the area will nurture and continue protecting these flora and fauna species.
The existing native vegetation identified in the report included native foods such as brush cherry, berry saltbush, ruby saltbush, native asparagus, kangaroo grass, warrigal greens and wombat berry.
For more information about council's community consultation on your input into possible future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au
