A new educational facility and a tourism destination is planned for the banks of the Albert River in Eagleby. The Riverine Discovery Centre is set to cost $5.5 million and set to drive tourism to the city.
The 2021/2022 budget allocates $400,000 towards planning and design of the project with construction of the Centre to take place over the following two years and is contingent on Council receiving funding through the Queensland Government’s South-East Queensland Community Stimulus Program.
The Centre would offer a range of activities aimed at improving understanding of City of Logan waterways and increasing community use of the Albert and Logan rivers.
The Riverine Discovery Centre could provide or include:
- Environmental education
- Outdoor nature-based activities
- Historic displays
- Community hub
- Café and river-view dining
- Commercial water‐based activities
It is estimated the Centre could add up to $1 million annually to the local economy through visitor spending and will provide jobs during construction and throughout its operations.
Environment Chair, 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,” Councillor 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.”
Division 12 Councillor Karen Murphy said a Riverine Discovery Centre would be an ideal complement to Eagleby’s popular 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 Riverine Discovery Centre is among several initiatives that council have budgeted for that aims to encourage residents to spend more leisure time in the city and increase day-trip visitation from other parts of South East Queensland.
