FAQs

Activation of Currumbin Eco-Parkland project delivers on a commitment by the Queensland Government ahead of the 2020 election to protect an important and unique 148-hectare parcel of land at Currumbin and transform it into the one of the largest eco-parks in Australia. 

The site — known to locals as Martha's Farm or Martha's Vineyard — is on the southern end of the Gold Coast incorporating land along the New south Wales border.  Once developed, this unique hinterland property, is set to create new tourism opportunities in the region.

The Queensland Government acquired the site in November 2021 and has invested $31 million in the 2023-24 State Budget to support activation of an Eco-Parkland offering fantastic recreational elements and providing a location for wildlife rehabilitation. 

Once activated, the Currumbin Eco-Parkland will feature sporting and recreational elements for family and community enjoyment, nature based recreational trails, protections for local koala habitats, including fodder eucalypt plantation and provide opportunities for rehabilitation and appreciation of the natural environment through eco-tourism. The new parkland is expected to enhance the Gold Coast’s global reputation as a tourist destination while protecting local flora and fauna for future generations. 

A project activation plan has been finalised and released in January 2024, as part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to delivering on its election promise.

The Queensland Government acquired the land in late 2021 to advance plans for the future of this exceptional site. This acquisition came in response to a proposal from the local community group, Friends of Currumbin, who recognised its importance and potential for environmental conservation and community engagement. The site is truly exceptional and rare on the Gold Coast, as finding large land parcels suitable for recreational activities, preservation of delicate ecological communities, and safeguarding koala habitats and local wildlife is a challenge.

Economic Development Queensland had been in negotiations with the previous (private) landowner since January 2021, however an agreement was unable to be reached. To progress plans for the future of this unique site, the Queensland Government secured the land through a compulsory acquisition in late 2021.   

Listening to community concerns, the Queensland Government’s purchase of the site ended years of uncertainty around its activation and enabled preservation of this unique property’s valuable ecological features. 

The Queensland Government is committed to preserving the state’s natural areas and environmental heritage, particularly close to major population centres. This includes protecting the site’s valuable koala habitat and local flora and fauna.  Activation of the site will ensure its strong ecological values are upheld while opening a world of new regional eco-tourism opportunities.

The transformation of Currumbin Eco-Parkland aligns with the Queensland Government’s commitment to expand Queensland’s protected areas. The parkland will become a safe haven for a diverse range of wildlife, including koalas. The funding allocated to the Department of Environment and Science will support ongoing land management activities, such as fire and pest programs and revegetation works, ensuring the long-term preservation of this natural habitat for future generations.

The site was acquired by the Queensland Government in November 2021, funded through the Queensland Governments Working Together for Queensland Fund. 

The Queensland Government will inject $31 million over three years, to get the project off the ground. This includes civil works, wetland rehabilitation, environmental restoration, safe vehicular and pedestrian access, and amenities.

Since 2021, the government has committed a total of $46 million to support the Currumbin Eco-Parkland.

The masterplan proposes the future vision of the site and identifies: 

• walking trails
• future cultural and environmental centre, including toilets and amenities, information kiosk, café, picnic areas and facilities
• bird-hides
• rehabilitation and planting areas
• boardwalks
• nature play areas
• koala fodder eucalypt plantation.

The activation plan reflects the works to be undertaken to activate the site for the public to start to enjoy. Future site works will utilise best practices to facilitate restoration that will help the eco-parkland to become more flood resilient, whilst land management activities will continue to focus on weed treatment and control to aid in the first phase of passive site restoration.  The activation plan highlights efforts to preserve the unique site alongside native animals and bushland.  It includes park and recreational elements for the community and visitors to enjoy, including scenic hiking trails and site amenities. 

The activation plan also allows space for a new externally managed koala facility, small-scale vet unit and a dedicated fodder eucalypt plantation.

The activation plan identifies are of wetland restoration, public access, and nature trails as well as the broader area for revegetation.

The activation plan for the Eco-Parkland allows space for a new externally managed koala facility, small-scale vet unit and a dedicated fodder eucalypt plantation. There are also plans for revegetation.  Lots to be created within the parklands are proposed to be dedicated as conservation park under the Nature Conservation Act to ensure natural and ecological values are protected and managed accordingly.   

It aligns with the Queensland Government’s commitment to preserving our natural areas and environmental heritage, particularly close to major population centres.

The Minister for Economic Development Queensland has initially been responsible for the eco-parkland, overseeing EDQ’s work to date with state agencies and the City of Gold Coast to identify long-term arrangements for the site, including leading the development of the activation plan.  

Since late 2021 EDQ has been working with existing users to improve land management practices and weed control across the site.  

EDQ’s role includes delivering works detailed under the activation plan. 

Once these works have been completed, it is proposed that the Department for Environment and Science be responsible for preserving and protecting the site. 

Discussions are occurring the City of Gold Coast Council to determine future responsibility and management for the recreational parkland, amenities, and parking facilities.

The land was acquired by the Queensland Government in November 2021.

EDQ’s work to date has included leading master planning for the project, which included commissioning a full ecological study of the site and community engagement encompassing Traditional Owner representatives, local environmental groups, recreation, and sporting groups, as well as local residents to ensure everyone had an opportunity to put their ideas forward for the long-term future for the site. An Enquiry by Design workshop was also held, allowing stakeholders to participate in an interactive workshop and help shape the project's direction. 

Feedback obtained complemented a range of technical site assessments, highlighting the importance of preserving and rehabilitating the site’s endangered ecosystems and a shared vision of restoration, improved biodiversity, and ecological rehabilitation. The masterplan and activation plan are the result of that work.

EDQ has also appointed Biodiversity Australia to undertake land management activities to increase the site's environmental value, including targeting invasive species and encouraging regeneration so native plants can successfully out-compete weeds.

To aid in the careful and considered treatment of weeds in an area with high ecological values, extensive GIS information is being gathered to inform areas of importance. Biodiversity Australia continues to build on this knowledge base.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is the master developer for the Currumbin Eco-Parkland. 

EDQ is a unique government agency combining property development, innovation and activation strategies with specialist planning and infrastructure functions to create places and investment opportunities. It has a long history of holding and managing State-owned assets while they transition to their ultimate use.

Extensive community engagement has been undertaken since the project’s inception, including helping shape the proposed final masterplan illustrating a future vision for the site.

Consultation encompassing Traditional Owner representatives, local environmental groups, recreation and sporting groups, as well as local residents, and a range of stakeholders to ensure everyone had an opportunity to put their ideas forward for the long-term future of the site. An Enquiry by Design workshop was also held, providing stakeholders with the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop and help shape the direction of the project. 

Feedback obtained complemented a range of technical site assessments, highlighting the importance of preserving and rehabilitating the site’s endangered ecosystems and a shared vision of restoration, improved biodiversity, and ecological rehabilitation.

The City of Gold Coast Council has been consulted throughout project work to date, including involvement in providing feedback on the development of the activation plan. 

Council will have further involvement, and be consulted as part of ongoing work, including over future responsibility for the recreational parkland, amenities, and parking facilities.

Extensive community consultation has already occurred in order to inform the masterplan.  EDQ will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed through the delivery of the activation plan.

A “Have Your Say” page has been established where the community can register for project updates. 

There are notable examples of iconic landscape destinations within rural or immersive landscape settings. Parallels may be drawn to locations such as: 

• Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Daisy Hill 
• Oxley Creek Common

It is anticipated that the full Currumbin Eco-Parkland activation plan will take a number of years to deliver however, we will work with the community to bring forward early works that improve public access and encourage community involvement in bushland revegetation.

Access has not been denied across the site. However for safety reasons, many elements of the Activation Plan are required before full public access can be accommodated.  

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) anticipates commencement of detailed planning for the project in mid-2023, to progress designs for infrastructure, public access, entry road, carpark and basic amenities and facilities. Initial weed management works commenced in mid-2023. 

To stay up to date on the Currumbin Eco-Parkland, register on the Have Your Say” page.