General News
17 March, 2026
Parklands missing key attractions
AN official opening of Priors Creek Parklands has been set for July, but the new recreational precinct will be missing some key elements that will now have to be part of future stages.
“Construction of Atherton’s new Priors Creek Parklands and surrounding precinct is entering its final stages, with major elements of the project now largely complete,” Tablelands Regional Council said in a statement.
Council says it has spent $10.7 million to date which has delivered a small amphitheatre and stage, an all-abilities fitness area, a multi-use court, a trail head for the Atherton Mountain Bike Park, two new toilet blocks (which are not yet operational) and pathways, but it is missing critical elements that would have been big lures for families.
The council has confirmed that the nature-based playground, the amphitheatre shell, the pump track and learn-to-ride area, public art and the new bridge over the creek will have to be established in future stages but did not give a timeframe for when that would happen.
“They have been identified for council’s 10-year capital budget, however we won’t be able to advise exact timings for these elements until future years’ budgets are confirmed,” a council spokesperson said.
“Regarding the playground, the plan is to deliver a ‘destination playground’, not just a regular community swing-set.
“Because it’s a specialised build with unique, nature-based features, a lot of the work so far has been the invisible but essential site prep.
“We’re finally at the stage where the playground footprint is moving from the plans to the dirt, and the designs are being refined.”
The project was intended to provide a 1000-person amphitheatre, but the structure that has been constructed does not appear to be big enough to seat that number of people, nor the grassed area fronting the stage.
The spokesperson said the shell of the amphitheatre was intended to be a centrepiece of the parklands but work on the shell would not be done until after the playground was well progressed. In the interim, there is no shade over the seating area or the stage.
“It will be more than just a stage – once complete, it will be the architectural backdrop of everything that happens in the precinct,” the spokesperson said.
“Think everything from weekend markets to big-ticket festivals. Seeing the shell stand tall will be a huge milestone.”
The spokesperson said a “huge part of works to date has been laying the foundation for what’s to come, with flood mitigation and civil foundations to make sure this park and precinct lasts for generations”.
“Now, we’re finally moving into the ‘vertical’ phase where the community will see the parklands and precinct grow from the ground up.
“It’s a turning point for the project, however it’s important to remember the park itself is only part of the much bigger picture. When fully realised, Priors Creek Parklands will be a lifestyle precinct and a highlight destination for the whole region.”
Council was now focussing on works on parking and traffic flow for the precinct.
“This will understandably mean some temporary interruptions to traffic and parking arrangements,” the spokesperson said.
