Blackall Cultural Precinct
Blackall Tambo Regional Council, in partnership with Red Ridge Interior Queensland Ltd, is developing a new cultural precinct in Blackall to provide a dedicated space for the preservation and celebration of local art and culturally significant memorabilia. Both organisations have each contributed $3 million to the project, demonstrating a strong local commitment to its success. In addition, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council was awarded $14,876,000 through Round 2 of the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program, with funding announced in January 2025. The project will include purpose-built collection storage, exhibition space, museum garden and a public carpark. Once completed, the precinct will serve as a major regional attraction-boosting tourism, preserving heritage, and strengthening social cohesion through events and cultural activities. This project will deliver long-term benefits to the community and significantly enhance visitor engagement across the region. It will be delivered in stages, with stage 1 commencing in late June 2025. This initial stage will include the construction of two storage sheds, car parking, landscaping, and associated infrastructure to support future phases of the development.
Stage 1 Cultural Precinct
A collaboration between Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Red Ridge Interior Queensland, officiated by a beneficial enterprise agreement signed late last year, saw work begin on Stage 1 of the Blackall Cultural Precinct project on 14 July. Stage 1 includes headworks for all the services infrastructure, all driveways and car parking and two collections storage sheds which will house items of historical significance for the community, ensuring its long-term safe keeping and protection. Project manager for the delivery of the development is Blackall-Tambo Regional Council's Assets and Major Projects Manager, Mr. Sidney Russell. So far, the sites for the two collection shed areas have been established and cleared with the bulk excavation of both completed. The areas have been compacted, and fill import has begun with completion tagged for the end of this week. Underground services installation commenced this week as well.
Blackall-Tambo Regional Council and Red Ridge Interior were awarded $14,876,000 through Round 2 of the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program in January which will allow the project to be delivered in its entirety.
Constructions of the actual sheds will commence late 2025, with practical completion of Stage 1 being early 2026. Delivery of Stage 1 was won by Newlands Construction Pty Ltd, who are based in Toowoomba.