Lord Mayor creates forest sanctuary
27 February, 2008
Sign Up for free e-mail updates!
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is to transform an old quarry within the beautiful Karawatha Forest into an eco tourism centrepiece, complete with its own onsite park ranger.
The Lord Mayor today unveiled his $18 million plan to build a ‘Karawatha Forest Environment Centre’ in the bushland in Brisbane’s south to rehabilitate the old quarry site.
The 900ha Karawatha Forest was purchased years ago using council’s Bushland Preservation Levy and is one of the largest areas of remnant bushland in the city.
However it has degraded walking trails that limit the public’s ability to enjoy the more than 200 species of wildlife, freshwater lagoons and sandstone ridges, dry eucalypt forests and wet heaths.
The Lord Mayor said he was confident that council could construct an environmental centre, kiosk or restaurant and boardwalks around the water filled quarry site without damaging bushland.
Cr Newman said the site could be accessed through tracks used by the old quarry trucks or via a road leading to a cleared power line easement.
“This is a significant environmental project that will create an iconic park for everyone in Brisbane but particularly the people on the southside who want to enjoy nature-based pursuits,” he said.
“There will be an interpretive centre to allow people to fully understand and appreciate their Karawatha forest visit. The quarry has now filled with water to create a lake which will be perfect for people to go to enjoy non-motorised watercraft such as canoeing, and radio controlled boats.”
The Lord Mayor said his office had had preliminary discussions with the Karawatha Forest Protection Society which supported the concept.
“I will be working very closely with the Karawatha Forest Protection Society to ensure this project is done the right way with the right sensitivities,” he said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to provide an iconic environmental opportunity in our own backyard and I want to ensure it is done the right way.”
The Lord Mayor said the plan included improved walking trails and the addition of barbecue facilities around the 200 square-metre quarry site. There were also opportunities to upgrade the approach to a nearby lookout which offered “significant views.”
Karawatha Forest is located 18 kilometres south of Brisbane's central business district. UBD map references 220, 221, 240 and 241.
The proposal does not involve developing existing natural lake lands or natural waterfalls.