The DA amendment is to allow for a more diverse range of operational offering that better suits the location, including overnight luxury camping accommodation. The vision is for nature-based luxury that reflects the island’s beauty and character and is designed to support, protect and enhance the island’s rich cultural heritage.

The plan is for 40 eco-friendly, luxurious, glamping tents; a food and beverage offering for guests that highlights the surrounding produce-rich areas; a separate food and beverage offering for recreational boat visitors; nature-based conferencing, events and weddings; marine ecotourism; and cultural tourism led by traditional landowners.

A highly considered project designed to reflect the island’s beauty and character, created to support, protect and enhance the island’s rich cultural heritage.

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Images: Supplied by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd.

Hamish Jordan, Director - Pandana Capital said “South Straddie rewards visitors with an experience of stunning simplicity. We believe the Pandana vision is an opportunity to realise the potential of this pocket of the island and create a sustainable operation that is in sync with its natural beauty and appeal. Our goal is to deliver an offering that traditional landowners, locals and visitors can take pride in.”

“We are pleased to have reached the point of DA lodgement and welcome council’s assessment of the Pandana conceptual plan. We encourage robust discussion with relevant stakeholders and recognise the need to build trust and consensus through the process, said Jordan.

We’re appealing to stakeholders and the broader community to observe the lessons of these lease areas’ past and incorporate those in a sensible plan for the future of South Stradbroke. The existing lease areas do not protect and promote the island’s natural elements and cultural heritage aspects and are considerably limiting in their scope.

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Images: Supplied by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd.

We believe that there needs to be a conversation and willingness to change the status quo, charting a better future. A new plan, appropriate oversight, stakeholder consultation and buy-in led by a group with the capabilities and credentials to execute its vision offers far greater scope for improvement.” said Jordan.

Mr Wesley Aird, Director – Centre for Indigenous Policy said, "The Cultural Heritage Report for Pandana is one of the more significant assessments that Jabree has produced in over 10 years of practice. We're also enthused with Pandana's further plans to work closely with Jabree in creating indigenous interpretive and tourism opportunities at the destination. Such a genuine involvement of First Nation peoples would provide this nature-based tourism facility with bona fide credentials, nationally and internationally. Speaking personally, my broader family has had a long association with South Straddie and I'm confident Pandana will steward these leasehold lands with dignity, care and respect.”

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Images: Supplied by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd.

What are Pandana Capital’s proposed plans for the South Stradbroke sites, Lot 36, 58, and 60?

• Pandana’s vision is about providing nature-based luxury in a uniquely Australian coastal setting.
• Set along 230 metres of west-facing beachfront, the plan is for 40 eco-friendly, luxurious glamping tents, with individual bathroom facilities, surrounded by nature.
• In addition, there’ll be a scope of services including a food and beverage offering for guests that taps into the rich produce areas of Moreton, Stradbroke and the wider produce region of south-east Queensland; a separate food and beverage offering for recreational boat visitors; nature-based conferencing, events and weddings; marine ecotourism; and cultural tourism led by traditional landowners.
• The highly considered offering reflects the island’s beauty and character and is designed to support, protect and enhance the island’s rich cultural heritage.

What part of South Stradbroke is this?

• The site of the former wedding and function venue ‘An Island Hideaway’ (LOT 36) at McLaren’s Landing (LOT 58 & 60), South Stradbroke Island.

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Images: Supplied by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd.

What’s the purpose of the Development Application?

• To amend the current permitted terms of lease to allow for a more diverse range of operational offering that better suits the location, including overnight luxury camping accommodation.

Who is behind the DA?

• Pandana Capital Pty Ltd is an Australian company, owned by a group of Australian investors with considerable expertise in hospitality, tourism, marketing, corporate finance, and property development.
• At least half of Pandana’s investors and are linked to successful hospitality operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Northern NSW, Gold Coast and Bali, either by direct ownership, operational capacity or investment.
• The company was formed in 2019 with the goal of acquiring DNMRE leases on the northern end of Tipplers Passage, South Stradbroke Island. The leases formerly known as McLaren’s Landing and An Island

Hideaway were transferred to Pandana Capital in April 2020.

• The operational management team will be finalised in due course once there is a solid understanding of the specific operating skill sets required to meet the approved plans and consents. At least two of Pandana’s directors will be involved in day-to-day management of an approved operation.

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Images: Supplied by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd.

Is there any existing support for the DA?

• Prior to submitting the DA, Pandana held a lengthy consultation process with the City of Gold Coast Council; the local area Division 4 Councillor and Chair of Council's Planning and Environment Committee (PEC); Destination Gold Coast tourism organisation; the DNMRE (Department Natural Resources Mines & Energy); and Jabree Ltd.
• Pandana subsequently obtained the written in-principle support of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate; Division 4 Councillor and PEC Chair Cameron Caldwell; and DNMRE to lodge the DA and request for a change of use to the leases.

If approved, will the offering be anything like previous operations at McLaren’s Landing?

• Absolutely not, which is the reason for the DA. The existing terms of lease greatly reduce the range of offering and diversity possible, increase the probability of unwanted ‘peak period’ consumption-based offerings, and compress revenue opportunity.
• Pandana’s vision, with the approved DA, is a chance to change the trajectory of this destination. It is an opportunity to improve the offering and operations, creating a sustainable ecotourism destination that delivers on South Stradbroke’s unique but unrealised potential. Ultimately, make it a jewel in the crown for Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast tourism.

What structural changes would happen if the DA is approved?

• Firstly, the safety and security of the current lease sites, which have been left in a poor state, need to be addressed. The interim clean up task is considerable and involves the below:
  • Resolve and address all non-compliant legacy structures to comply with planning rules and correct boundaries
  • Remove all dumped materials and legacy structure issues
  • Regeneration of the majority of lot 58 (McLaren’s Landing) to its natural habitat status
  • Removal of all existing structures on lot 36 (former wedding and function venue) o Development of a nature-based experiential events and function capability
  • Introduction of renewable technologies in waste and water treatment and power generation
  • Regeneration of national park areas where dumped materials have been placed o Enacting a concept and plan designed to profile and protect the island’s greatest attributes of ecology and cultural heritage
• Once this is complete, the build will take approximately 3-4 months to opening.
• Pandana has adopted a minimal ground disturbance strategy as well as a 100% tree avoidance plan. This means that it will preserve and protect the existing native trees on site as well as invest in regenerating the natural flora.

What plans has the project made for wildlife, particularly koalas?

• No koala population has been found on the sites by Pandana’s contracted ecology service partner. That said, Pandana is extremely sensitive to the importance of preserving koala habitats and so the plan will achieve that.

What sort of bushfire plan will the project have in place?

• Pandana engaged a fire consultant throughout the planning phase and will continue to consult with fire agencies, the GCCC and local community to develop robust fire management plans for the location.
• Have the traditional landowners been consulted on the plans?
• In accordance with the Cultural Heritage Act, Pandana has worked with the authorised cultural heritage compliance provider for the Gold Coast and division 4 council, Jabree Ltd., to undertake cultural heritage site surveys. This resulted in Pandana being issued with a cultural heritage certificate to support its development plan.
• The history and cultural heritage of the island and broader region are an integral part of Pandana’s nature based, Australian experiential vision. Pandana looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Jabree Ltd, and the traditional landowners they represent, to ensure it plays its part in preserving, protecting, and incorporating cultural heritage in to the immersive Pandana experience where advised and appropriate.

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