The Thomas Jack Park Precinct unlocks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate our park and create a regional gateway for the Western Downs; a place we can all be proud of.

The detailed design phase for the new Dalby Cultural Centre in Thomas Jack Park is well underway. Key features of the concept design include a new library, cinema, art gallery, and visitor information centre. Soon, we'll be sharing these plans with the community before setting our sights on the tender process!

Council would like to thank our passionate and engaged community for your collaboration and feedback throughout Stages 1 – 3 of our engagement program. Community’s vision has inspired a beautiful, functional space for cultural pursuits, facilities to engage our youth, a social hub, and a gateway to our region, thoughtfully and seamlessly embedded in the natural beauty of Thomas Jack Park.

As we move through detailed design phase for the Cultural Centre, and finalise the design for the park, we will continue to involve key stakeholder groups to ensure every detail is relevant and reflective of our community’s needs.

Download the results from community engagement feedback to see how your input helped to inform the final design.

For more information on the Thomas Jack Park Precinct Concept Design that we shared with you all in late 2024, download the design package.

View artistic impressions of the draft concept design

A Community Inspired Vision


Through extensive community consultation, opportunities from the community emerged, outlining the desire for safe, inclusive spaces that host a range of activities now and into the future. These five opportunities have become the project pillars, guiding the design and shaping the future of the precinct.


Informed by community’s vision, a draft concept design for the Dalby Cultural Centre was shared with the community for feedback between the 4 October and 1 November 2024. Community shared many ideas to enhance the design including ways to activate the spaces and reveal the stories of Dalby to visitors. We now have a great database of information to draw on as we refined the finer details.

There were three important topics that were uncovered through community consultation which have shaped the finalisation of the concept design.

Condamine Street interface: A concern related to the proposed setback and height of the art gallery building positioned along the Condamine Street frontage. The final concept responds to this feedback by lowering the height of the art gallery to 9.0m, pushing the art gallery floor below the natural ground level. This has created an opportunity for a dynamic and memorable gallery that offers a unique experience to visitors.

Adaptability and flexibility: Community shared excitement for the cinema and appreciated the flexibility of being able to facilitate other events and uses on occasion. Key considerations that helped refine the final concept design include:

  • Places for people to get changed for performances
  • Storage space at the cinema end of the building
  • Spaces for food service during events

The primary operation of the space will be as a cinema; however, we are committed to deliver spaces that align with community aspirations. In addressing these questions, amendments to the briefed storage spaces support alternative event and storage requirements which will continue to be refined in Stage 4 – Detailed Design.

All abilities access and design consideration: We received several suggestions and considerations regarding; accessibility in the cinema, arrival/moving around the building in wheelchairs and the accessibility of parks in servicing both play areas and the Cultural Centre.

To accommodate all patrons, the following inclusions have been considered and will continue to be refined in Stage 4 – Detailed Design:

  • Three lift cores which includes two passenger lifts and a larger service lift
  • One passenger lift located at the cinema end with the other providing equitable access for public and staff to all levels and areas of the library and art gallery
  • The cinema will offer options to remove seating at both top and bottom levels to enable people to sit together in wheelchairs
  • Car parking arrangements for people with disabilities


The draft concept master plan for the Thomas Jack Park precinct is included below:

Want to explore further? Discover more about the Thomas Jack Park precinct project: