{"id":353859,"date":"2024-10-21T17:27:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T07:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=353859"},"modified":"2024-10-22T20:27:02","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T10:27:02","slug":"council-approves-centre-lease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/10\/21\/council-approves-centre-lease\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Approves Centre Lease"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
A concept plan drawn up for the BMCAI for the proposed Bunya Mountains Community Centre (Artwork: Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 21, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

And although there is vegetation on the road reserve, the block itself is already cleared.<\/p>\n

The decision to approve the lease followed an address to Council by BMCAI president Noel Noack and secretary Carol Weekes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Noack said the community centre had been the group’s main focus since it was incorporated in 2019.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Emergency response is an important area as well as visiting medical and therapeutic professionals.”<\/p>\n

He said the group had raised $67,000 towards the project over the past five years.<\/p>\n

A professional feasibility study was drafted while the group was having discussions about potential sites with the Western Downs Regional Council.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, those proposed sites had fallen through.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

However,\u00a0 Lot 80 had now been transferred to the SBRC to decide its future.<\/p>\n

Carol said there was a critical need for an indoor meeting, recreation, education activity facility in the Bunya Mountains.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“There are no public buildings such as a public hall, old church, church hall or school existing in the Bunyas,” she\u00a0 said.<\/p>\n

Small group meetings had to be held in private homes.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Grants Program Policy.<\/p>\n

Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n