A host of community ideas have been floated regarding the future shape a redeveloped former Bundaberg City Showgrounds should take.
Multi purpose buildings, a performing arts complex and sporting fields are just some ideas that have been informally expressed since Bundaberg Regional Council relocated the Showgrounds to a new site opposite the airport.
Council is now calling on the residents of Bundaberg to provide ideas and initiatives regarding just how the former Showgrounds land should be utilized for the benefit of the community and future generations.
A Community consultation session will be held at the main pavilion at the former Showgrounds this Saturday from 9.30am until 11.30am.
Mayor, Cr. Mal Forman said it was extremely important for the community to participate by offering contributions to the pool of ideas necessary to ensure a comprehensive consultation process.
“We are talking about an area of more than 14.7 hectares that is available for development under our Draft Land Management Plan,” said Cr. Forman.
“It is this area that will contain community infrastructure. We have an additional freehold area of 6.9 hectares set aside where it is proposed to develop a mix of residential and commercial activities.”
“The freehold area will provide a revenue source to assist Council to fund the development of the remaining land.”
Council’s Planning and Development portfolio spokesperson Cr. Ross Sommerfeld said pre-feasibility studies and needs assessments have highlighted that the site had the potential to address numerous opportunities. “A key component of preliminary investigations is the creation of a multi-purpose community building for public hall, and sport and recreation use.”
He said Council recently announced the sale of the PCYC building to the State Government and is looking to relocate the organisation to premises at the old Showgrounds site. “This is an ideal facility for inclusion in a multi-purpose structure.”
Cr. Sommerfeld said many of the existing buildings located on site would be gradually demolished. He said it was planned to consolidate the presence of some users not affected by proposed new infrastructure while undertaking the relocation of others.
“”Much of the current open space will be formalised through parklands and it is intended to retain the existing substantial vegetation.”
Public displays of the Draft Land Management Plan can be viewed at Council’s Administration Centre lobby, Library and at Sugarland.
The Plan can also be viewed on line at www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au. Online and written submission close at 5pm on Friday March 22, 2013.
Date: 13-03-2013