May 3, 2023
South Burnett Regional Council will consult the community about the future of the Old Boondooma School Community Centre before it decides whether to undertake six-figure repairs.
The community centre – located between Durong and Boondooma Homestead – was formerly Boondooma State School.
Ownership of the buildings and block were transferred to Council when the school closed in 1999, and the building was converted into a community centre soon afterwards.
For a time, it was used by the now-defunct Big Scrub Arts Group, silversmithing workshops and occasional yoga and gym classes.
But upgrades to Durong Hall and Boondooma Homestead in recent years have seen usage of the Community Centre decline.
Council was recently advised that the hall’s front and rear steps need safety replacements at an estimated cost of $45,000.
Council officers told Wednesday’s Infrastructure Standing Committee meeting that it had also been identified the Centre’s toilets were in a poor condition with limited suitable access.
The facility’s tennis courts have not been used or maintained for many years, and one has a significant termite mound mid-court.
Worse, the Centre is built on reactive soils which – over many years – have moved, causing stresses on the building’s sub-structure.
Because of this, the concrete nib wall which supports the building has moved away from its original alignment and is showing evidence of rotation and cracking.
Officers said a detailed investigation by a suitably experienced consultant would be required to determine the extent of the movement and provide remedial solutions to both prevent further movement and repair the existing damage, if possible.
This investigation would cost $10,000, and rectification works – if any were recommended – significantly more.
The Centre’s main building has also suffered termite infestation.
Officers said this has now been controlled but the full extent of damage was unknown.
They said termites appeared to have entered the building via the upper wall frame, and there is some visible evidence that they reached the roof structure.
Cr Kathy Duff said she had fond memories of the centre.
She was a student there when it was a school, and the centre was also the place where she learned her silversmithing skills.
However, she believed the much better-equipped Durong Hall and Boondooma Homestead had assumed their places as the area’s prime community facilities and both were relatively close by.
Councillors voted unanimously to consult the community before deciding the future of the Centre or carrying out any remedial works.
They also asked staff to investigate the Centre’s freehold land tenure and look at options for future disposal of the block should the facility be closed down.
It’s great that the community is to be consulted about the Boondooma School Community Centre building. That is being courteous to the region and users.
There is only one option, however, that should be considered. That is to have this community centre closed down to make more full use of the Durong Hall for the activities that were held there.
For Council to invest ratepayer’s money into assets that are not fully used for activities is a waste of money. Whether the money for repair comes from rates or a grant, it all trickles down and adds a cost to Council’s budget each year thereafter.
It’s sad to lose buildings that hold fond memories for those who were schooled there, however times have moved forward.