October 21, 2024
A five-year dream to build a community centre on the Bunya Mountains is one step closer to reality after the South Burnett Regional Council voted to back the proposal.
At October’s general meeting, councillors voted unanimously to lease Lot 80 on FY2562 (ie. 3384 Bunya Mountains Road) to the Bunya Mountains Community Association Inc (BMCAI) for 10 years.
The block of land is immediately opposite the Bunya Mountains Rural Fire Brigade Shed, making it perfect for use in emergency situations as well as general community use.
And although there is vegetation on the road reserve, the block itself is already cleared.
The decision to approve the lease followed an address to Council by BMCAI president Noel Noack and secretary Carol Weekes.
Mr Noack said the community centre had been the group’s main focus since it was incorporated in 2019.
“We need a place where we can get together, not only for meetings but workshops, information sharing, recreation … we’ve got a book club, craft groups, artist gatherings, entertainment,” he said.
“Emergency response is an important area as well as visiting medical and therapeutic professionals.”
He said the group had raised $67,000 towards the project over the past five years.
A professional feasibility study was drafted while the group was having discussions about potential sites with the Western Downs Regional Council.
However, those proposed sites had fallen through.
Lot 80, in the South Burnett Regional Council area, had also been identified as a possible site but it was not available at the time as it had been earmarked by the State Government for ranger accommodation for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
However, Lot 80 had now been transferred to the SBRC to decide its future.
Carol said there was a critical need for an indoor meeting, recreation, education activity facility in the Bunya Mountains.
At the moment all activities were organised outdoors which was great when the weather was fine but became a great cause of stress when the weather was unfavourable.
“There are no public buildings such as a public hall, old church, church hall or school existing in the Bunyas,” she said.
Small group meetings had to be held in private homes.
Carol said the BMCAI had met with Council’s town planner and also hired a building designer to develop a concept plan to fit the Lot 80 site.
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the lease and to establish a partnership with the BMCAI if Regional Precincts and Partnership funding was secured and provide in-kind support in accordance with Council’s Grants Program Policy.
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