October 13, 2021
A hand-me-down toilet block at Goomeri Showgrounds will be replaced thanks to a $93,500 Federal Government grant announced by Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien.
Goomeri Show Society president David Pitstock said the toilet block, at the top of the showgrounds, was originally built for Expo 88 before going to Caboolture Showgrounds after the South Bank Expo site was dismantled.
When the Caboolture Show Society no longer had a need for it, it made its way to Goomeri.
Mr Pitstock thanked Mr O’Brien when he visited the showgrounds on Wednesday.
The $93,500 grant from Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), will go a long way towards the $187,000 cost of the new toilet and shower facilities.
The new facility will have up to 24 stalls and six showers.
“Goomeri Showgrounds are used for large-scale events like rodeos, the local agricultural show and horse and cattle events, as well being a popular camping spot, so this funding will ensure the new amenities block will meet the needs of all users,” Mr O’Brien said.
He said the project would also create up to 15 jobs during construction.
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Mr O’Brien also dropped into the Murgon Men’s Shed on Wednesday to announce a $33,000 grant under Round 5 of the BBRF for the construction of a steel shed.
The funding will allow the volunteers at the Men’s Shed to organise the construction of a shelter to protect its restored carriages, which will be a key part of the proposed Railway Museum.
“This new steel-framed shed and annex will provide a sheltered space for the growing railway display,” Mr O’Brien said.
The total cost of the project has been estimated at $44,000.
The Railway Museum will eventually house two restored carriages – a wooden 1918 passenger car and a steel goods wagon – as well as a steam engine and section cars.
“Murgon Men’s Shed has done a brilliant job to collect and restore important railway memorabilia, providing a fascinating glimpse into Queensland’s past, and I’m pleased to support their work with this funding through this grant,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The railway museum at the start of the South Burnett Rail Trail is growing to be a valuable tourism drawcard for the South Burnett region, so this funding will help boost domestic tourism and support local businesses and jobs.”
Murgon Men’s Shed president David Mollenhauer said The Shed was a place for men to meet, unburden their woes and gain a sense of achievement and self-satisfaction from working on projects such as this.
Related articles:
- Rail Project Receives $15,000 Boost
- Council Approves Expansion
- Vandals Disrupt Railhead Plan
- Murgon Railhead Right On Track
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Other South Burnett projects which received grants under Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund included:
- Nanango RSL Sub-Branch which received $29,935 towards the $59,870 total cost of constructing a solar PV system, and
- South Burnett Regional Council which received $300,000 towards a $600,000 upgrade of Wondai Memorial Pool.
