News Update: Major Projects Update

Upper Mary Street

The revitalisation of upper Mary street, Gympie was endorsed by Council on 13 May, 2015 as part of the Gympie Town Centre Urban Design Projects Package. 

The project is co-funded through the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund and Council with $1.5 million contributed by each.

Designs for the project are still being finalised and consultation business operators and owners is continuing, however upgrades to pedestrian crossing points, as well as tree planting, street scape lighting and a widening of the pavement areas are envisaged. Most importantly it will acknowledge and enhance one of the most intact heritage streetscapes in Queensland.

The project has a funding deadline for completion of 31 December 2019. 

Kilkivan Equestrian Centre

Construction of the much anticipated Kilkivan Equestrian centre is about to commence.

The project’s plan has been developed in conjunction with the community and is funded through the Queensland Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.

On January 23, 2019 Gympie Regional Council announced Ri Con Constructions as the successful tender to build the new equestrian centre.

The total allocated funds for the project are $2,036,000 with $1,075,089 coming from the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.

The planned development includes an 80m x 45m undercover arena and a raised undercover spectator viewing area as well as a review of electricity, water and sewerage to site.

Council received a total of 10 tenders for the project. Assessments on all applicants were carried out in compliance with Council’s procurement process.

Ri Con Constructions were previously engaged by Council to construct the Curra Hall.

The equestrian centre’s official opening will coincide with the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride in early September

Mellor Street Upgrade

The upgrading of Mellor Street between Amy Street and Lady Mary Terrace aims to revitalise important elements of the one of Gympie’s busiest commercial and residential hubs.

Mellor Street is the link between Gympie’s civic, retail and Heritage Rail precincts. It is unique, in that it accommodates local businesses as well as residential houses. The Mellor Street upgrade will provide an easy, safe and aesthetically pleasing link for pedestrians between the two.

The proposed improvements also look to add practical value to Mellor St, not only for traders and residents, but visitors to our region.

The improvements include the planting of trees, shrubs and garden landscape elements, refurbishing the existing footpath and kerbing, reducing the speed limit to 50 km/h and creating formal of on-street car parking. 

The final design for this project was created in conjunction with the residents as well as the business owners and operators. 

The project is entirely funded with $500,000 from the Queensland Government Works for Queensland program and is due to start in the last week of February, 2019. 

River to Rail Trail Stage 2 

Following on from the popular stage one, Construction of the second stage of the River to Rail Trail project is underway from The Sands to the Victoria Bridge Conservation Area. 

The project is budgeted for $1 million under the Queensland Government Works for Queensland Program with completion aimed at mid-2019.

The funding will cover two aspects of the project; trail formation and surface works, and parkland enhancements at The Sands recreational area, including an extension to the carpark, revegetation and turf and picnic seating.

Sale Yards

Council is in the process of developing a strategy for the saleyard space and has conducted a number of surveys to gauge the thoughts and opinions of its users.

Calf sales are held fortnightly on a Wednesday and Prime/Store Cattle sales are held fortnightly on alternate Mondays. Stud sales are held regularly throughout the year. The Saleyards service is vital for regional rural economies.

Gympie Saleyards also provides dipping facilities and head bail and weight scales which are available for use at a nominal fee.

The aim of the project is to, through research and community engagement, provide a strategic direction for this vital piece of community infrastructure for the next 10 to 20 years.    

Mary Valley Skate Park 

The Mary Valley Skate Park project is part of the Imbil Our Towns program which is aimed at introducing streetscape and public space improvements.

The $300,000 project is fully funded by the State Government’s Works for Queensland Program with construction due to be complete by mid-2019. 

Council has conducted several rounds of community consultation. The feedback gathered from these sessions will heavily contribute to the final design.  

Mary Valley Rail Trail: Imbil to Brooloo

The trail will activate a dis-used rail corridor to provide the local community and visitors alike the opportunity to walk, cycle off-road and ride their horses between the two townships.

The proposed trail is approximately 4.5 kilometres one-way and will be suitable for all fitness levels as a great one-way or return experience.

 This project is being undertaken by Gympie Regional Council and is fully funded by the State Government’s Works for Queensland program.

Council recently completed several rounds of community consultation where residents had the opportunity to discuss the project, see before and after photographs of similar projects and provide feedback directly to the project team.  

The trail is scheduled to be open by 30 June 2019.  

Youth Precinct

A regional level, Gympie Youth Precinct Recreation Hub is planned for the old Gympie Memorial Pool site. This exciting project responds to the growing needs of the Gympie community and its youth by supporting positive community, health and youth engagement opportunities within the region.

Stage 1 of this project is costed at $2.8 million, funded under a shared (50/50) funding arrangement with the State Government.  The forecasted completion date for the project is mid-2019. 

Council sought feedback on design of the park, flow and elements during two drop-in sessions on 28 June and 19 July, 2018.   

While the final design is still under consideration, many elements suggested by those who attended the drop in sessions have been included. 

Some of the features of the project include a pump track, skate bowl and flow area as well as a bouldering wall.