QLDC progresses Ladies Mile sports field project in spite of councillors HQ preference

In spite of councillors insisting that QLDC land at 516 Ladies Mile (State Highway 6) be considered as a site for a new council HQ, council staff are pushing ahead with a $5.3 million plan to use the site as a sports field. The council has already spent around $15 - $20 million buying the land and demolishing the "toxic house" that was included in the purchase price.

A further $800,000 has already been spent on the sports field development.

The "toxic house" on the Ladies Mile site cost ratepayers around $6 million - only to be demolished after the council failed to take action to control a rotting interior.

Council consultants have at least twice appeared to ignore elected members instructions for 516 Ladies Mile to be considered for a new HQ site. Controversially the QLDC staff preference has been for a CBD location and a $60 million budget with an extra $2 million already spent on the project, labelled by staff as Project Manawa.

Frankton is also in the mix as a possible location but consultants have so far failed to identify any particular Frankton site.

Project Manawa has a budget of at least $60 million with the focus so far being on the CBD location - not Frankton or Ladies Mile.

Here's the full reply from QLDC to Crux questions about the current status of 516 Ladies Mile.

"The project to progress Stage 1 of 516 Ladies Mile is part of QLDC’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034 work programme, with approximately $5.3M budgeted for it in 25/26 and 26/27.

"This budget covers provision of service infrastructure to the site, a short-term community centre by moving the temporary Luggate Hall to site, road access, and parking. To date, costs for this project are approximately $800,000.

"Staff have not received direction from Council to put this project on hold."

"Regardless, Council has sought that the site be included in the consideration of a Council Accommodation Building (CAB) independent location assessment.

"The location assessment is due to be considered at the July Full Council meeting."