Dalby community rejoice as Western Downs Regional Council vote to review the site of proposed cultural centre

Western Downs Regional Council has passed a contentious motion on the proposed development of a cultural centre in Thomas Jack Park. Here’s what they decided.

Thomas Jack Park Dalby. Picture: Sam Turner

Western Downs Regional Council has voted to take more time to review the location and budget of a future cultural hub in Dalby.

The community has been rallying hard against Thomas Jack Park as the location of the proposed centre and a petition with almost 5000 signatures was presented to council at the meeting.

The motion to review the site, put forward by councillor George Moore, narrowly passed five votes to four with councillors Peter Saxelby and all three new councillors, Sophie Bougoure, Sam Condon and Greg Olm voting in favour at the meeting on Thursday.

Ian and Lynn Sharpe have campaigned against the proposal for a cultural centre precinct at Thomas Jack Park. Photo Will Hunter / Dalby Herald

Resident Lynn Sharpe, who has been spearheading the protest, said she was pleased with the outcome.

“We presented the petition and when you present a petition there are three things council can do: reject it, note it or request a report be brought back and they requested it be brought back and carried the motion to pause the project pending further investigation,” she said.

“A lot of the councillors couldn’t believe the amount of public anguish there has been, they have been getting numerous phone calls and emails every day.”

Ms Sharpe thanked council for listening to the community.

“The overwhelming feeling within the people who were anti it going ahead is positive, they were thankful council has listened to the voice of the community and are going to revisit the location and the budget,” she said.

“Council are looking to engage further and more widely and the communities has been welcoming it.

“We are really happy with the outcome, we just want what’s best for Dalby.”

Mayor Andrew Smith said council had heard the community outcry and would work with them to find a suitable solution.

“During Thursday’s council meeting we had a discussion in regards to the location and the budget of the cultural precinct in Dalby,” he said.

“This was on the back of a petition presented during the meeting. We have decided to pause the planning of the precinct address the petition as well as the budget.

“There is no timeline on the project yet, however we will work as quickly as we can, we all agree we need to develop a precinct for arts and culture not just the boardroom but the community.

“We will sit down as a council and have a look at the petition, start preparing that we will also look at the location and the budget.”

Western Downs mayor Andrew Smith has responded to criticism directed towards plans to build a cultural centre at Dalby's Thomas Jack Park.

Mr Smith said they were always striving for communication with the community.

“It's always good to engage with community, we love engaging with community and there is no better way than face to face,” he said.

“The community have asked that we reconsider , so we will be sitting down and having a conversation.

“It was good debate in the meeting and as mayor it was fantastic to see the respect for one another.”