April 5, 2019
The unveiling of South Burnett Regional Council’s planned upgrade of the former Nanango Shire Council Chambers building has been greeted with dismay by parts of the local community.
Council says the $2 million project has become necessary because of the need for repairs in the building, which has had issues with water leaks and electrical faults.
However, the refurbishment has been greeted with anger on social media:
“Oh now I see why our rates are climbing through the roof… grrrrr”
“Needless spending? What’s the need for the renovation? Apart from a facelift what purpose will it serve? And what benefit to the community?”
“Total waste of money”
“South Burnett Council has gone mad!”
“Appalling use of taxpayers money!”
“That looks great, how about also sealing the dirt roads around the area which would make them safer for school bus routes and residents, too”
“Council should be spending taxpayers’ money on far more urgent issues.”
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington also joined the chorus of disapproval.
She said Council’s decision to invest $2 million on new Council offices should be better spent.
Mrs Frecklington agreed with people who felt the cost was too high and said the money, if available, could have gone to road upgrades or rate relief for rural landholders.
“Two million dollars is a lot of money for the South Burnett Regional Council to put towards a Council building, especially when we have rural landholders rightly up in arms about their rates increases, and locals still concerned about Council-managed roads that need sealing or more regular grading.
“I understand there have been safety concerns in the Nanango Council office and maintenance is required, but during these hard times the Council could be making some real differences right now for our community.”
Only one commenter on social media supported the upgrade:
Did anyone read the article? It needs a new roof and maintenance plus you can imagine the moaning if it closed – well that’s the cost of having an office in each town and sure take the staff out of Nanango town and see what the town does then … got to love Facebook economists
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