ABOUT US

MCPA has no political affiliation and aims to promote the protection and enhancement of environmental, recreational, educational, cultural, heritage, social and scenic values of the Mt Coot-tha Precinct, including the Mt Coot-tha Trust Lands, Mt Coot-tha Forest, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and surrounding public lands. Taking into consideration the likely impacts of climate change in promoting this protection and enhancement.

The group will oppose activities, uses and developments that degrade or threaten these values and will mobilise community and political support in pursuit of these aims.

MCPA led the zipline protest campaign and was joined by other community groups and political parties between 2017 and 2019.

Brisbane City Council under the then Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk, heavily advertised the Zipline regularly informing the wider community with newsletters and media attention.

MCPA appealed the Zipline Development Application (A005011420) in the Planning & Environment Court and the court refused the Development Application on 1 May, 2019. Application documents | Development. (brisbane.qld.gov.au)

The massive community outcry, a legal challenge and political fall-out both in Local and Federal Government, was what we believe, forced the new Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner to announce he was withdrawing Brisbane City Council’s support for the Zipline Development.

MCPA has previously co-hosted a community forum to gain feedback for the Mt Coot-tha Quarry rehabilitation. Furthermore, a submission was lodged with Brisbane City Council in 2024 outlining the group’s stance on the rehabilitation.

The Mt Coot-tha Summit redevelopment included a commercial hotel licence which prompted MCPA supporters to lodge submissions and attend a conference at the Office of Liquor & Gambling Regulation. Despite the potential environmental impacts, the extended hours commercial hotel liquor licence was approved on 20 December, 2024.

MCPA and other local community groups are aware of designated mountain bike trails in Mt Coot-tha Forest, noting erosion issues and illegal tracks. Following public submissions, a Mountain Bike Concept Plan was established by Brisbane City Council in July 2023.

MCPA has also been campaigning against the Lumina Night Walks to be permanently installed in Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, since late 2022. Council approved these Light Shows in July 2023 but to date no works have commenced.