No pineapple for the Bowdens???

[Jim Goose]

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...412-1dbz6.html

Car museum plans get rough end of the Big Pineapple
Lindsey Cuthbertson
April 12, 2011 - 12:50PM

Plans to convert the Big Pineapple into a motor museum have run out of gas, with the Sunshine Coast tourist attraction once again for sale on the open market.

Late last year it appeared the sale of the Big Pineapple to Buderim's Bowden family was a done deal, but the contract has not been finalised due to family concerns about some aspects of the deal.

A spokesman for PPB, the property's receiver, said today they are still hopeful they could work out an agreement with the Bowdens.
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“At the moment there is no contract capable of settlement. Discussions continue and we're hopeful for a resolution,” he said.

The spokesman said PPB was also looking at other options to sell the Big Pineapple.

“We're continuing discussions with the original buyers as well as [other interested buyers],” he said.

“It's a very prime piece of property so there is always interest.

“We're certainly hopeful of a resolution...at the moment there is no contract so we certainly will speak to parties.”

Sunshine Coast Council's Cultural Heritage Reference Group chair Anna Grosskreutz said she was hopeful a deal can be struck soon, as she was concerned about the deterioration and unkempt appearance of the tourist attraction.

“For decades it was kept in pristine condition and was an icon to the coast, and I know from feedback that residents would like to see it returned to its former glory,” she said.

“We don't know what's going on behind the scenes because it's a commercial-in-confidence arrangement. What the general person would see is an icon beginning to look shabby.”

Cr Grosskreutz said that the Bowden family's plan to purchase the property and showcase their personal collection of Australian racing cars alongside the 15 metre pineapple filled residents with “lots of excitement”.

“It's a type of attraction that we don't have, and it would also attract another audience to the region,” she said.

“We are hopeful [that the sale goes ahead], because most people are wondering about what's going on there. You feel a sense of sadness as you drive past because it looks so neglected.”

The Bowden family were unavailable for comment.