Plans reveal century-old Bundaberg building to be demolished for car park
A historic Bundaberg shopfront that has stood for more than 100 years faces the wrecking ball as developers plan to replace it with a hotel parking entrance.
A century-old building set to be demolished for a hotel parking lot has community groups in Bundaberg rallying to try and save it.
A steering group from the Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group launched an online petition to save The Old Curiosity Shop, now Zulu’s gaming room, after Star Hotels Group announced plans to knock the site down and make it an access point to the proposed 14-bay parking lot.
BRHG committee member Nick Page said the group only caught whiff of the demolition after seeing the Queenslander Hotel next door had been boarded up, prompting their own investigation.
“All of a sudden we saw plans had been approved for demolition,” he said.
“It’s going to be bulldozed and there’s going to be vehicle access through here.”
He said it would be a shame to see it go, stating lots of people in town still had fond memories of it back in the day.
“It’s just another piece of history in the town that looks as though might be demolished,” he said.
“It’s actually one of the oldest facades outside of the CBD area but it doesn’t have any protection at all.”
Mr Page is also a representative of the Heritage Advisory Committee, a new initiative formed by Bundaberg Regional Council, and hopes to see more properties listed on the heritage registry.
He said there were about 78 properties in the region with heritage listing but hoped the council would add more to the list and hold a new major heritage review, which last took place in 2015.
“As a heritage group we’ve been campaigning to get more of these character properties recognised,” he said.
“We’re pushing hard for a new review so other buildings can be given some consideration.
“There’s been a good job done in the high street (...) our concern is outside of the CBD area where there are character properties.”
With the fate of The Old Curiosity Shop a ticking time bomb BRHG does not want to see go off, they took it upon themselves to contact Star Hotel Group directly but have yet to receive a response.
“That’s disappointing but I suppose it’s to be expected,” Mr Page said.
They suggested using the Woondooma St access as the sole access point to the proposed lot, leaving the Targo St property standing.
“It could make a very atmospheric wine bar,” Mr Page said.
“Our heritage group, we’re not anti-development at all.
“We just want to see the preservation of the character that’s left in the town because a lot has disappeared.”
The petition has amassed 369 signatures and calls on the community to save the historic building for future generations to enjoy.
“We have the power to shape our community’s landscape while preserving its soul,” the petition reads.
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