Kathy Duff
February 20, 2019
South Burnett Regional Council plans to seal Wooroolin car park to end a long-standing problem in the town.
At Wednesday’s Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Cr Kathy Duff said a request for quotations to seal the car park had been issued recently.
Three local suppliers and one regional supplier had been invited to quote on the job.
“Quotes have now closed and staff are in negotiation with the contractors while we wait for Main Roads approvals,” Cr Duff said.
She expected the work would start in mid-to-late February, subject to approvals and the weather.
The unsealed car park, which runs parallel to the Bunya Highway, has been an issue with local residents and visitors for many years.
Because of regular use, the car park can quickly become pot-holed after wet weather.
This has required Council work crews to regularly re-grade the area.
Statistics collected by the South Burnett Rail Trail Users Association over the past year indicate an average of between 300 and 400 caravanners make use of Wooroolin’s free camping area most months of the year.
Caravanners have to drive through the car park to access the camping area.
Locals and tourists also use of the car park to visit the town’s cafes, shops and the nearby Grand Hotel, as well as guests attending events at Wooroolin Hall.
Wooroolin’s QCWA branch, whose rooms are immediately next the car park, also use the area for their monthly markets.
A growing number of locals and visitors to the South Burnett Rail Trail also use Wooroolin as a “launch point” for journeys along the trail.
Cr Duff said public consultations would take place soon with local stakeholders who were likely to be affected by the sealing work.
An expected completion date for the project has yet to be announced.
