General News
2 March, 2026
Nursery troubles
THE Queensland Police Service has confirmed it will not extend Mulgrave Landcare’s lease over its Gordonvale nursery site beyond 31 March 2026, as the community group says the position leaves it feeling “more vulnerable”.
In a statement to Cairns Local News, a QPS spokeswoman said the service formally notified the group in May 2025 that the lease would not be renewed.
“The Queensland Police Service provided notice to the Mulgrave Landcare and Catchment Group on 2 May 2025 that their lease would not be extended beyond 31 March 2026,” the spokeswoman said.
“A formal request to extend the lease has not been received by the QPS at this time.”
Mulgrave Landcare operates its nursery at 103 Norman Street, adjacent to the former Gordonvale Fire Station.
The spokeswoman said QPS was currently in discussions with another government agency regarding the site’s future and required the land to be “unencumbered”.
“As ongoing plans for the site are commercial-in-confidence, the QPS is unable to disclose further information at this time,” the statement said.
Mulgrave Landcare and Catchment Group chairwoman Belinda Billing confirmed the group was formally notified last year that the lease would not be extended.
“Yes,” she said when asked whether the group had received the May 2025 notice.
Ms Billing said discussions had been held with QPS regarding the lease.
“Yes, member Steve McDermott had discussions with QPS last year,” she said when asked whether a formal extension request had been submitted.
She said the requirement for the land to be “unencumbered” was concerning.
“We are very concerned as we wish to remain on this site and have been working with local MP Terry James to this end,” she said.
Asked whether the QPS position changed expectations about remaining at the site, Ms Billing said: “It makes us feel more vulnerable.”
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said he believed an extension could be achieved.
“As I stated earlier, Terry is working hard to secure at least a lease extension for the property currently tenanted by Landcare in Gordonvale,” his office said.
“He continues to be confident that he will be successful. Nothing he is hearing from the various ministerial offices is contrary to that thought process.”
The former fire station building next door is owned by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, which has previously said it is exploring options that may support the tenant’s occupancy “for a period of time.”
With just over a month until the lease expires, uncertainty remains over whether negotiations can overcome QPS’s stated requirement that the site be vacated.
