Redland City Council is close to delivering a solution that enables the St James Lutheran Community Kindergarten and Child Care centre to continue operating on Council-owned land.
At this week’s General Meeting Redland City Mayor Karen Williams received support from Councillors for her motion for Council to enter into a lease-to-buy agreement with the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, which will eventually see it own the land.
“This outcome would provide certainty for the child care operator and for our Cleveland mums and dads who use the service,” she said.
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Cr Williams said the child care centre had been leasing the property for more than 10 years without the security the lease-to-buy agreement would provide.
“This option will enable them to buy the land over an extended period rather than just leasing it on a temporary basis as they have been doing; providing the long term security they have been looking for,” she said.
“This means they are not only able to continue servicing the Cleveland community, but they can also plan for the future knowing they have the land there to use as they need.
“The fact that the St James Lutheran Community Kindergarten and Child Care centre will own the land rather than using Council-owned land means they will be the same as other local child care centres, providing a level playing field for all local operators.”
Cr Williams said the solution was in addition to a decision last month to rule out rezoning any Council-owned open space and conservation land following feedback from the community.
“I was very pleased when my fellow councillors supported my Mayoral Minute last month to rule out rezoning any Council-owned parks and conservation land following clear feedback from the community that they did not support the proposal,” she said.
“I hope this proposal will also be supported so we can provide St James Lutheran Community Kindergarten and Child Care the security they need to continue serving the community.”
The Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District has provided in-principle support for the move and a report will come back to Council for a final decision following negotiations.
The park at 7 John Street was created as a result of a subdivision for the road widening of John Street and was transferred to Council in 1973. St James Lutheran Church has had a permit to occupy the site since 2004.
