July 20, 2021
Toowoomba Regional Council will take over the day-to-day operations of the Jondaryan Woolshed.
The decision was made at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
Cr Geoff McDonald told the meeting the Jondaryan Woolshed Board had requested Council take over the operations.
The Woolshed has been closed to the public since June last year.
The TRC will now undertake a building and safety assessment of the popular tourist attraction and develop a future operating model.
“We’ve been working closely with the Jondaryan Woolshed Board for quite some time now and it’s been clear that we all have a shared vision to preserve this much-loved facility,” Cr McDonald said.
“To ensure this happens, the Board proposed to step down from all operational functions and instead act as a strategic advisory group.
“The Board believes Council is better placed to manage the day-to-day activities of the Woolshed in regard to the financial operations, staffing, maintenance and managing functions.
“Council has agreed to this request and is pleased the current members of the Board want to continue being involved as the shared knowledge from this group will no doubt be valuable as we move forward.
“Council and the Board will work together to ensure appropriate decisions are made in relation to existing staff, following consultation with them.
“Council values each and every staff member and volunteer of the Woolshed and would like to thank them for their work and contribution to date.
“We will support them throughout this change to ensure it’s as smooth as possible.”
Cr McDonald said there was “general agreement” that the existing business model for the Woolshed may no longer be the best fit.
“We will need to speak with the local community and potential business partners, to look at what could be a better fit,” he said.
“The Jondaryan Woolshed links us to our past and is an integral part of our region’s heritage and a valued tourism attraction.
“Council would like to thank the community for their patience and support of the Jondaryan Woolshed during this transition.”
