What is the funding for this project and where has it come from? (answer updated 29.07.2024 to add more information)

There are two projects under this umbrella in terms of funding - the cultural centre facilities and the park land.

For the Dalby Cultural Centre, Council received a $14.18 million grant in Round 3 of the Resource Communities Infrastructure Fund (RCIF) allocated by the Department of State Development and Infrastructure. The RCIF was designed to support community infrastructure projects, and the funding awarded to WDRC is specifically for Dalby Cultural Centre. You can read about it on the State Government website.

The total budget for the facilities is $65 million at today's dollars. It is estimated that the construction will take between two and three years once started.

For the upgrade of Thomas Jack Park itself, there is $300,000 allocated for planning and design in the FY 2024/25 budget, to include design of a new playground. There is then $3.5 million for construction and installation in the FY 2025/26 budget.

When will work begin on the new cultural centre?

Now that the site has been selected and architects appointed, a site master plan and concept designs can be developed. This design process will occur in consultation with the community. When the final plans are endorsed by Council, a development approval under the Planning Scheme will be required.

The project is scheduled to commence (i.e. breaking ground) in April 2025, in accordance with approved funding from the Resources and Community Infrastructure Fund. Council can request an extension if needed but an approval is not guaranteed. As such, Council will be working with the community to meet the defined schedule to reduce any risk to the funding.

What will happen to the 107 Drayton Street site?

Council is committed to finding a future use for this site which best serves the needs of the community.

How and when were the architects selected for the project?

The architects were selected through a rigorous competition process which began in September 2023 after the initial Council resolution to proceed with Thomas Jack Park as the cultural centre site. The process was paused in April 2024 when the resolution was passed to go back out to community consultation.

The architect team were officially appointed after the Council resolution to proceed in Thomas Jack Park in June 2024.

What is planned in terms of parking? (answer updated 29.07.2024 to add more information)

Car parking and vehicle movement planning is an important consideration and a key part of the design process. The design team will first complete a needs assessment which will look at the parking demand generated by the additional facilities in the park across different scenarios - e.g. both everyday use and special events. Consideration will be made for RVs, caravans and bus movements. For the new facilities, staff and volunteer parking as well as loading for the library and art gallery will be taken into consideration.

A solution will be designed based on the results of these assessments and the estimated increased need for parking. Maximising the existing on-street parking will be a priority. There is no underground parking planned.

Are there trees marked for removal in Thomas Jack Park? (answer updated 03.08.2024 to add more information)

You may notice markings on the trees which are related to a detailed survey of Thomas Jack Park. We understand there is some concern in the community that these trees have been marked for removal - this is not correct.

The survey helps Council make operational decisions around general park maintenance and upkeep, and provides us with key information on infrastructure and drainage for future improvements to play areas and infrastructure.

From this survey, seven trees were identified to have foliage that posed a high risk to user safety (including broken limbs and significant deadwood). On Saturday 3 August 2024, tree pruning and trimming works were undertaken not only to maintain safety, but to retain and protect these seven mature trees.

Will you cut down trees in the park?

Tree coverage is very important not only for provision of shade but for carbon sequestration, aesthetic value, biodiversity and noise reduction as well as for our wellbeing. A key part of the architectural brief for the facilities to be built in the park is to minimise loss of mature trees and to investigate opportunities for moving or replacing any trees lost.

What will happen to the playground and existing facilities?

We understand Thomas Jack Park’s significance to the community for play, parties, connection and outdoor recreation. We know the playground and other park facilities are highly valued by the community. Many of the current facilities are nearing end-of-life and need replacing. Council will endeavour to ensure that during any works to the park, access to safe play, covered seating and barbecue facilities is maintained.

Under the Western Downs Planning Scheme, is it permitted to build in a park that is designated as recreational space?

Thomas Jack Park comprise of various lots under three planning zones as per the diagram below, including community facilities, medium density residential and recreation and open space zones.

Buildings for community use like a library, art gallery and visitor centre are consistent uses, and therefore allowed to be built in all of these zones.

A cinema is classified as a theatre and is consistent use in the community facilities or recreation and open space zone. It is also permissable to apply to build a theatre in a medium density residential zone.

In summary, all of the planned uses of the future Thomas Jack Park Precinct are either consistent with or possible upon making a development application under Western Downs Planning Scheme.

Have the residents immediately facing the park been consulted about the project?

A ‘resident stakeholder’ zone has been created to engage with residents within 100m of the park, including the two homes inside the park itself. These residents will be consulted closely throughout the design and construction phases.

What were the outcomes of the Wildlife Boxes schools project that took place in 2023?

The nesting boxes planned during the Wildlife Boxes project are being installed along Myall Creek. Thomas Jack Park was never a part of this project.

What facilities will be built?

The resolution passed by Council is for a new library, art gallery, cinema and visitor information centre facilities.

Why is there no Performing Arts Centre in the plan?

Concerns were raised by the community about the impact that a Performing Arts Centre might have on Thomas Jack Park in terms of the footprint of the building as well as parking requirements and traffic, and Council made the decision to remove it from the plans accordingly.

There is a tremendous appetite for live music and performing arts in Dalby, which is why we will proceed to investigate alternative, more viable location options that carefully consider future community needs and Dalby’s capacity to offer amazing cultural performances.

Council will consider commissioning a business case for a future Performing Arts Centre in its 2025/26 budget to determine its viability at this time, with the potential to defer construction until such time as local demand, capacity and productivity is ready to support a large-scale facility.