The Tamborine Mountain Arts Precinct (TMAP) has written to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace, calling on her to support a postponement of the auction.
This would give them time to formally present the proposal to the new government.
TMAP founder, John Tardy, is hopeful the LNP will get into government.
“Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz and State Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause have both fully supported our proposal for an arts precinct,” he said.
John presented the proposal to Grace Grace on July 8 and said she was “extraordinarily receptive”; however, she has now written saying the Department is unable to assist TMAP in purchasing the land on Gallery Walk, nor does it have the power to compulsorily acquire it from the Council.
TMAP fear the site could be auctioned any time and they have been unable to secure funds to bid.
Council have previously postponed the auction date, from December 8, 2023 and it has further been delayed after the tornado.
TMAP has written back to Grace Grace proposing the Queensland Government take over the property from the Council.
“The economic impact for the mountain would be huge. It’s an all encompassing project for Queensland,” John explained.
“We have enormous support from high profile people and a petition with over 1000 signatures. Every business owner on Gallery Walk is desperate for this to happen.
“It will be the catalyst to reinvigorate Gallery Walk.
“The council knows how important this project is to the Scenic Rim but still ignore what we are trying to do.”
John fears there is a strong possibility the property will be sold out from underneath them and the chance for what he believes would be a world class gallery will be lost.
TMAP has been unable to raise enough money to buy the property and is unable to use available grant money to purchase land.
