{"id":90619,"date":"2014-12-01T11:52:53","date_gmt":"2014-12-01T01:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=90619"},"modified":"2020-11-20T17:59:34","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T07:59:34","slug":"1m-upgrade-for-camping-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/12\/01\/1m-upgrade-for-camping-area\/","title":{"rendered":"$1m Upgrade For Camping Area"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Construction has already started on two new toilet blocks (Photo: Nanango Electorate Office)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 1, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Government is spending more than $1 million on upgrades to the Peach Trees camping area in the Jimna State Forest.<\/p>\n

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the upgrades would include new toilets, a sewage treatment plant, road works, fencing and better access to nearby Yabba Creek.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeach Trees is a very popular campground, particularly during Easter and Christmas\/New Year period, with people enjoying a barbecue and walk along the creek,\u201d Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeach Trees is particularly popular with families due to its large, open grassy areas, resident population of Eastern Grey kangaroos, and abundant birdlife.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese new facilities and infrastructure will ensure visitors continue to have a world-class visitor experience at Peach Trees for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs Frecklington said the total Peach Trees upgrade was due for completion in June 2016 and had a budget of $1.023 million.<\/p>\n

Three new toilet blocks will be built to replace the existing facilities, with an associated treatment plant meeting stringent environmental requirements.<\/p>\n

The first two toilet blocks are planned for completion in early 2015, with the third toilet block by the end of June 2015.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Work on these facilities has started with the existing facilities available through the construction phase.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will also be upgrading the access road to the camping area, with this scheduled to start after the coming Christmas-New Year holidays,” Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYabba Creek swimming hole, next to the camping area, is very popular and the upgrade will include stabilisation works to the creek bank and access track.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs well, fencing around the camping area will be replaced, mainly to prevent stock from wandering into the camp grounds from neighbouring lands.\u201d<\/p>\n

National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said the camping capacity had been reduced to 150 people, through to January 31, to allow for demolition and construction of new toilet facilities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

President of the Kilcoy Chamber of Commerce and Community, Cheryl Gaedtke, said the Peach Trees upgrade would be a great benefit to the to the economic growth of local businesses, as well as providing greater visitation to the unique ex-timber township of Jimna.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeach Trees is such a lovely area for families to spend time with nature in a safe environment and there are also plenty of public forest drives to take to appreciate the beauty of our natural assets,\u201d Cheryl said.<\/p>\n