August 25, 2021
A plan by the Hivesville Progress Association to redevelop the village’s disused railway yards has been questioned by two South Burnett councillors who believe the group may not have met since February.
Cr Danita Potter and Cr Scott Henschen queried whether all members of the Hivesville Progress Association (HPA) even knew about the proposal.
Earlier this year, the HPA submitted a proposal to Council to convert the former railyards into a caravan-friendly parking area to attract more visitors to the town.
The HPA suggested the area could also be expanded to include a children’s play area, off-leash dog park, picnic area, community garden and a Men’s Shed.
The area, opposite Hivesville Hotel, is known locally as “Mother Of Millions Park”.
Council maintains it under a lease from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR).
The HPA sought a sub-lease from Council, saying it intended to develop its plan over several years, using grant funding and monies raised from community activities.
The proposal was discussed at Council’s Community Standing Committee meeting on August 11, where Councillors voted unanimously to approve HPA’s request for a lease, subject to approval by DTMR.
But when the Standing Committee’s decision was tabled at Wednesday’s General Meeting for ratification, Cr Potter said she had since been told the HPA had not met since February.
She was concerned members did not know about the proposal.
Cr Potter was backed by Cr Henschen, who said he had recently been contacted by some HPA members who said they did not know about it.
Mayor Brett Otto said he was unaware the group had not met for six months.
Cr Kirstie Schumacher said that in light of Cr Potter and Cr Henschen’s concerns, the best approach would be for Councillors to follow the recommendation of Council officers and meet with the HPA first.
“I fully support furthering these discussions,” Cr Schumacher said.
“And the resolution – as it stands – doesn’t commit us to anything.”
Cr Gavin Jones said he had been caught off guard by Cr Potter and Cr Henschen’s comments, and would like confirmation the HPA had met and its members had approved the proposal.
He recommended the matter lay on the table until the situation could be clarified.
Put to a vote, the decision to lay the matter on the table was carried 4-3, with Crs Duff, Otto and Schumacher opposed.
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southburnett.com.au later spoke to HPA president Barbara Hockey who confirmed the group had not met for several months.
However, Barbara said this was due to concerns about keeping members safe during the pandemic.
Regular communications were now conducted by email and social media, but would likely return to face-to-face meetings as soon as the situation became normal.
Ms Hockey said plans for the park had been presented to a full meeting of the HPA earlier this year where they had been adopted and minuted prior to submitting them to Council.
And enthusiasm for the project was so high, she said, that once word of it spread, many non-members had approached the HPA and volunteered to assist.
“This is a genuine community project that a lot of people in Hivesville are very excited about, so we look forward to meeting with Council at the earliest opportunity,” she said.
“We’re very keen to make a start. We think this project will do a lot to improve our community’s amenities over time.”
The HPA organises the annual Hivesville Christmas Carnival and Australia Day celebrations, and assists at the town’s Anzac Day commemorations.
- Related article: Van Park Planned For Hivesville
