November 6, 2023
The future of Tingoora Hall appears to be demolition and replacement if views expressed at a meeting last Thursday night (November 2) are shared by most other Tingoora residents.
The community consultation meeting was held at Tingoora State School and was organised by the South Burnett Regional Council as a follow-up to an initial meeting held in August last year.
SBRC Facilities Manager Leanne Petersen and Land Investigation Officer Paul Turner led the gathering, which was attended by all councillors (except Cr Danita Potter, who was ill) and about 20 residents from Tingoora and nearby areas.
Ms Petersen said that since last year’s meeting, Council staff had investigated the hall’s history, conducted inspections to determine the hall’s condition and obtained cost estimates on three options for the hall’s future.
The inspections had disclosed that in addition to asbestos contamination, the hall had also suffered significant termite and water damage, and now had cracks in its foundations as well (all of which were illustrated with a slideshow the audience could view).
Ms Petersen said it appeared the 90-year-old hall ceased holding regular functions in 1994. Control of the building passed to Wondai Shire Council in 1997 when the hall’s committee disbanded.
And as far as Council records could determine, Tingoora Hall was permanently closed 15 years ago due to public safety concerns, which accelerated the building’s decay.
Another significant problem the hall faced was that it was built over two adjoining blocks of land – one owned by Council, and another that was held in trust and belonged to the State Government.
While both blocks were probably worth about $50,000 each, the SBRC would be unable to sell its own block until the hall was either demolished or moved to another location.
Ms Petersen said the Tingoora community had three options on how best to proceed:
- Demolish the hall, which was estimated to cost $75,000
- Repair the hall in its current location, which could cost as much as $1 million to bring it up to current building standards, or
- Repair and relocate the hall, which could cost $1.1 to $1.2 million.
After this report, the meeting was thrown open for suggestions on how best to proceed, which resulted in a lively discussion that lasted close to an hour.
A fourth option came from the floor, ie. demolish the hall and build a modern, multi-purpose community centre in its place, along with a children’s play area and a community garden.
Several residents also said they would like to have the old hall’s wooden dance floor – believed to be made of crows ash – retained if possible and installed in any new building.
Ms Petersen said the Council will now conduct a survey of all Tingoora residents to determine the majority view.
The results of this survey – along with a plan for the Hall’s future – would be discussed at a future meeting.
Related articles:
- Meeting Debates Tinny Hall Options
- Meeting To Discuss Tingoora Hall
- Meetings Will Plot Future Of Halls
- Wrecking Ball For Tinny Hall?
