March 14, 2022
The push to establish a community centre on the Bunya Mountains has hit a hurdle.
The Bunya Mountains Community Association Inc (BMCAI) has been working with both the Western Downs Regional Council and the South Burnett Regional Council for some time to locate a suitable block.
A BMCAI spokesperson said two blocks in the WDRC area had been identified however Council has requested a full feasibility study be completed before considering the proposal.
This could cost between $24,000 and $60,000.
The WDRC has a grant funding program available which could cover part of this, but it has a maximum of $10,000 per grant.
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LifeFlight Training Academy will deliver trauma and medical emergency training on the Bunya Mountains on May 6 for 20 participants.
All costs will be covered by an Ergon Energy Community Fund grant.
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WDRC has informed the BMCAI that Council was still working on designs for the shared link trail through Rifle Bird Park and in front of the Bunya Mountains Rural Fire Brigade Shed.
There will be no trailhead in Rifle Bird Park and no upgrade of the park is planned as part of the Russell Park Mountain Trail Project.
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BMCAI has been allocated a $3000 grant from AGL / Coopers Gap to hold a “Bunya Mountains Back Through Time – In The Bush Where It Happened” event on September 17-18.
This activity will include visits to significant historic sites in the area plus activities such as birdwatching, historic slide viewing and a “campfire church”.
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The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has advised that walking tracks in the Cherry Plains area will be closed in early March while works are carried out on the improve vehicle parking in the area.
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The Bunya Mountains Rural Fire Brigade has installed eight security cameras and have paid to connect to a satellite phone to provide communications in the event of a disaster.
Repairs were necessary after falling bunya cones damaged the roof of the brigade’s temporary toilet.
The Brigade is still lobbying to get a permanent toilet for the shed, which is a designated incident control centre in the event of an emergency.
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BMCAI held its Annual General Meeting at Rice’s Log Cabins restaurant on March 6, which was also attended by Cr Gavin Jones from the SBRC and Cr Kylie Bourne from the WDRC.
Ian Harris was elected as president; Pat Stewart as vice-president; Carol Weekes as secretary; Annette Sprenger as treasurer; and Robert Zigterman as Management Committee member.
The meeting passed a vote of thanks to outgoing treasurer Graeme Wright for his significant contribution to the job in 2020 and 2021.
They also thanked Cr Jones for chairing the election of office bearers at the meeting.
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Planning has begun for the second annual BMCAI “Dinner Under The Stars”, which will be held at the Bunya Mountains on November 19.
This year’s event will cater to more diners and will feature celebrity chef Matt Golinski along with entertainment by popular local group Ryza.
BMCAI will also be holding a Trivia Night on Saturday, May 14 compered by Cr Gavin Jones.
More details about this event are expected to be released in the near future.
