Temporary commercial use of parks

Redlands Coast park reserves are another step closer to being even more vibrant after Council today endorsed the Land Management Plan – Temporary Commercial Use of Public Open Space (Council Trustee Reserves).

Mayor Karen Williams said the Land Management Plan (LMP) applied specifically to 29 State-owned reserves that Council holds in trust for the Queensland Government.

“The LMP provides controls and measures that satisfy State requirements for temporary commercial activities on these reserves in the Redlands Coast,” she said.

“It also reinforces Council’s commitment to supporting sustainable levels of temporary commercial activity in public open spaces.”

Cr Williams said temporary commercial activities are generally of a low-scale, and restricted to a footprint of 30 sq m and, depending on the size and type of park, the number of commercial vendors is capped at between one and three.

“Under the LMP, the type of temporary commercial activities are limited to those that complement the recreation and leisure functions of that reserve,” she said.

“Depending on the park, activities could include mobile food and beverage vans; personal fitness training; hire of recreation equipment, such as watercraft and bikes; entertainment such as busking, face painting, magicians, petting zoos and other similar activities; and tourist-based activities, including canoe and kayak tours.

“There are many activities that could further enliven our parks and communities, and which park users would appreciate having there.

“We love our outdoors lifestyle on Redlands Coast, and the LMP is an important step in making sure great recreation and leisure opportunities are available to everyone.”

Cr Williams said the LMP would now be sent to the Queensland Government for approval.

“Following the State Government’s approval of the plan, vendors who want to operate in a park reserve will be able to indicate their interest to Council through an Expression of Interest process,” she said.

“If short-listed, they will be invited to formally apply for approval.”

Redland City Council is inviting the community to have its say on temporary commercial activities proposed for a limited number of Redlands Coast managed park reserves.

Mayor Karen Williams said consultation was an important step in Council’s commitment to supporting sustainable levels of commercial activity for the identified public park reserves.

“Council supports a range of temporary commercial uses to help create vibrant neighbourhoods and communities,” she said.

“This includes activities such as personal fitness training, mobile food and beverage vehicles, hire of recreation equipment, low key entertainment and tourist-based activities.

“Where the State owns the park reserve, Council is required to seek approval to use the land for these secondary purposes, through a Land Management Plan.

“At this stage 31 State reserves, where Council is the trustee, have been identified as potentially suitable for temporary commercial activities.

“They are on the mainland and islands.”

Cr Williams said the consultation, until 20 November 2020, followed a recommendation in Council’s Redland Open Space Strategy 2026 which aims to ensure great recreation activities and leisure opportunities are available to everyone.

“Our Draft Land Management Plan is about activating parks and open spaces,” she said.

“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.”

The proposed commercial activities include:

• Personal fitness training, ‘learn to’ and coaching programs.
• Mobile food and beverage vehicles.
• Hire of recreation equipment (watercraft, bikes, scooters).
• Entertainment (busking, face painting, magicians, jumping castles, mobile animal petting and entertainers for small events and celebrations).
• Tourist-based activities (canoe and kayak tours).