Council Unveils $35.5m Park Plan

November 15, 2022

South Burnett Regional Council has released a draft Master Plan to guide the development of Kingaroy’s Memorial Park and the adjacent swimming pool.

The draft suggests the completed project could cost up to $35.5 million – $27.3m for the aquatic centre and $8.2m for the remainder of the park – however it could be developed in stages over a number of years as funding became available.

Council will be seeking feedback (see below) from residents about the draft plan before a final version is prepared.

The draft has been produced by the Otium Planning Group, a company that specialises in planning sport, leisure and community projects.

Otium began working on the report earlier this year by holding a number of consultations with community organisations that use the park or pool.

The company also assessed 671 community survey responses the Council received about the project, and drew on the South Burnett’s current demographic data and forecast future changes in population size and age to ensure any redesign would meet community needs.

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Memorial Park

The draft  proposes retaining a number of Memorial Park’s existing features including the War Memorial and rotunda, existing pathways and children’s play area.

It also proposes widening the drainage channel that bisects the park and converting it into a gravelled walking trail with raised “tree islands” that would be crossed by several timber bridges, including one wide enough for vehicles.

The upgraded park would have a number of other features including:

• Recognition of the region’s Indigenous, European and pioneering history

• A permanent powered stage and multi-purpose amenities block for outdoor concerts

• A Play Precinct for children aged under 12 with a water play creek and hand pump; all-abilities play equipment and sensory play; a nature play area within the dry creek bed; and a children’s Yarning Circle

• A Youth Activity precinct for young people aged 12 or above with a multi-purpose hardcourt, “ninja warrior” course, “chill out” nodes, ball games rebound wall, youth parkour facilities and boulders

• An Indigenous precinct with a “gathering place”, interpretative sculpture, a ceremonial space and a bush tucker garden

• A botanical precinct featuring local plants

• Sheltered picnic nodes with barbecues and seating around the park’s perimeter

• A Heritage walk with a new avenue of trees

• Improved parking on William and Haly streets

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WJ Lang Memorial Pool

For the swimming pool, the report recommends retaining the 50 metre outdoor pool but adding:

• An indoor warm water pool

• Adventure slides and adjacent water play area

• A reception kiosk / café, office and retail area

• Outdoor dining options at poolside and park side

• Community rooms and amenities

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Consultation Sessions

Council will be opening the office next to the Kingaroy Library in Glendon Street for residents to see what the draft looks like and discuss their reaction to it with Council staff and Otium Planning Group personnel.

Consultation sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday, November 16, from 8:30am to 10:30am

• Monday, November 21, from noon to 2:00pm

• Wednesday, November 23, from 8:30am to 10:30am

• Monday, November 28, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm

• Wednesday, November 30, from 8:30am to 10:30am

A final consultation session will be held at the WJ Lang Memorial Pool in Alford Street on Tuesday, December 13, between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

• External link: Memorial Park Master Plan (SBRC website)

Download links:

• Draft Master Plan report (13.4Mb PDF)
• Draft Master Plan images (9.1Mb PDF)
• Dog Park Options (1.7Mb PDF)

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Video: A draft plan fly-thru posted by the South Burnett Regional Council:

  Council, Kingaroy