A riverside events, memorial and community space set to boost the Bundaberg CBD is another step closer with the Anzac Park revitalisation design tender and funding extension awarded.
GHD has been awarded a tender for the detailed design of the revitalised Anzac Park which it will deliver progressively.
Meanwhile the Federal Government, which has contributed $5 million to the redevelopment of Anzac Park under the Building Better Region’s Fund (BBRF), has granted an extension for the delivery of the project to 31 December 2024.
Councillor Jason Bartels welcomed the 12 month project delivery extension which he said was believed to have been delivered to a number of BBRF funded projects in this current round.
“This is a fantastic move by the Federal Government in recognition of the importance of this project to our community and the unavoidable delays many construction projects are facing in these unprecedented times,” Cr Bartels said.
“The Anzac Park revitalisation is an absolute game changer for our entire CBD area and this funding support is essential to its delivery.”
He said it was wonderful to see the project progressing with drainage works underway on site and the detailed design now awarded.
“We’ve coordinated the works schedule so that certain elements can be undertaken in parallel,” Cr Bartels said.
“While we complete the drainage work the detailed design will be delivered and provided progressively.
“The events space will be the first area to undergo detailed design and, pending any unforeseen delays, we expect the detailed design will be delivered in the first half of 2024.
“We can then go to tender for the construction of the events space while detailed design continues for the remainder of the site and the memorial curation takes place.
“As the memorial curation progresses Council will involve the community to determine the final outcome for what will be a regionally significant memorial, if not the best in Queensland.”
Cr Bartels said years of planning and extensive community consultation had taken place on the Anzac Park redevelopment.
“It is so rewarding to see this important project progressing and set to breathe life back into our CBD and make Anzac Park a sought-after destination for the community and visitors.
“This project has been on the wish list for many Council terms and to finally see it being delivered alongside the new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is a boon for the entire region.
“Council works hard to ensure that we are able to continue to deliver the needs and wants of our communities.
“When aging infrastructure is at the end of its useful life it has to be replaced and this is what has been occurring with the Anzac Park redevelopment and the establishment of the new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre, which are both well and truly underway and progressing well.
“Concept designs were developed in 2019 and throughout 2020 and 2021 a wide range of consultation activities were undertaken on these two projects including community sessions and key stakeholder sessions.
“We are anticipating that detailed design will generally follow the endorsed concept plans.”
For more information on the project head to the project page.