The Government has advertised again for proposals to restore and develop parts of Southlands national park through public-private partnerships.

A notice on the government procurement website said the Ministry of Public Works sought expressions of interest to renovate the main house and quarry cottage north of South Road at the site in Warwick.

The notice, published online and in The Royal Gazette on Friday, said ideas were also invited for the development and operation of a new café, storage and washrooms planned for the southern part of the park, “overlooking the ocean”.

It said proposed designs for the creation of the café and ancillary facilities were prepared and would be available to interested parties for consideration to help with submissions, which must be made by 3pm on October 7.

The Government sought proposals for the three projects, among several others, in September 2022.

In May, a spokesman for the public works ministry said: “After the submissions were reviewed, it was found that most could not be advanced.”

He said some were withdrawn while others “did not align with the vision for a national park and presented potential challenges”.

However, the spokesman noted then: “ … the ministry is pleased to share that several proposals are under further exploration that could enhance the park’s utility and enjoyment.

“These include the introduction of a zip-line experience, the utilisation of buildings by parks and other government departments, the provision of washrooms, the creation of a café and picnic area, and the development of woodland walking trails, among other initiatives.”

In Friday’s notice, the ministry said that “potential uses for the buildings must be in sync with the national park designation”.

It added: “In seeking the full potential of the park, it is envisaged that the initiative will result in outcomes of benefits being realised from the complemental uses to be introduced in collaboration with the various aspects of natural, historic, aesthetic, recreational and educational interests available in the park.”

The notice highlighted that the property’s designation as a national park “was meant to be the beginning of strategic efforts for its preservation, improvement or development”.

It added: “This EOI is therefore a follow-up action to the designation and also previous EOI put out last year, which identified a zip-line experience as a potential use, which is being explored.”

Last month, a company called Escape from Devil’s Isle said it was awaiting approval from the Government for a zip-line project it proposed for the site.

The company said it hoped to bring as many as three zip-line courses to the hilly woodland at Southlands.

The Government also wants to convert the southeastern corner of Southlands into an events lawn.

It said the project was deemed “integral” for the nearby Bermudiana Beach Resort.

However, the Bermuda Audubon Society called for coastal woodland to be preserved and said that there were alternative sites that could be used for the proposed events lawn without the same ecological impact.

The Department of Parks launched a two-week consultation process for the proposal, which was previously denied planning permission by the Development Applications Board.

The consultation was due to end on May 9 but was extended to May 17.

The Government obtained the 38-acre Southlands estate in 2012 as part of a land swap involving 80 acres of brownfield land at Morgan’s Point.

The move was celebrated by environmentalists, who had campaigned since 2007 to protect the site from a hotel development.

It was formally declared a national park in 2017.

In 2022, the Government conducted an online survey that asked the public how the property could be improved.

The survey options included restrooms, a café, a restaurant, a visitor centre, gift shop, beach concession, picnic areas and whether it should be pet-friendly.

Respondents were also asked to rate possible uses in order of importance, including research and educational centres, weddings and events.