Dalby locals protest proposed Thomas Jack Park development

Thousands of residents have signed a petition appealing for the Western Downs Regional Council to reconsider the site of a proposed cultural centre. Full details here.

Dalby residents are in protest over the proposed development of beloved Thomas Jack Park. Picture: Sam Turner

The Dalby community is rallying against the development of a proposed cultural centre in Thomas Jack Park, with calls to preserve the site for ‘recreation and relaxation’.

In September last year the Western Downs Regional Council approved Thomas Jack Park as the preferred location for the centre which they said would act as a ‘community-focused landmark designed to expand opportunities for people to learn, create, discover new ideas, and be inspired.’

A significant percentage of residents are vehemently opposed to the site’s proposed location and a petition created by local Lynn Sharpe, which implores the council to choose another site, has garnered over 3000 signatures.

“I have 800 physical signatures at home plus what’s in the shops and 2400 online and that is just in two weeks,” Ms Sharpe said.

“There were 40 people in the focus group council ran, but we are talking about something that affects thousands of locals and visitors.

“They said they did an online survey about what we wanted in a centre but there was nothing about it being in the park.

“My feeling is they have made up their mind and are trying to justify it and as a community we felt we weren’t consulted.”

Lynn Sharpe (R) has spearheaded a local petition to stop the proposed Thomas Jack Park development. Photo Will Hunter / Dalby Herald

According to the 2020 Dalby Community Survey, 75 per cent of Dalby’s residents used the park regularly and residents are seeking to preserve the open space which they said was crucial for the community’s wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

“I live opposite the park and I can see 24/7 how used the park is, I see kids playing, someone had a 78th birthday in the park the other day, there are generations of families who have had birthdays there and there’s travellers who always stop at the park on their way through.” Ms Sharpe said

“It needs to be part of a broader discussion including why it has to be in one place, the art gallery are happy where they are and said they’d be happy to stay there if the Council spent some money and upgraded it.

Libraries are also being built in shopping centres in town so why does it have to be in one place?”

“In Goondiwindi their centre is kilometres away from the centre of the town and by all accounts it is brilliant.”

“Why take away green space right in the middle of town to put a building?”

Newly elected Mayor Andrew Smith said consultation into the site’s location would be ongoing.

Newly elected Western Downs Mayor Andrew Smith.

“I am more than comfortable with the process we have taken to date, the community will still have an opportunity to be consulted as we go forward,” he said.

“More than anything I am convinced we need to take this project forward and deliver a precinct that Dalby is proud of.

“This is an 80-130 year project so it is important we get it right, this can develop outcomes for the community they have been lacking without a major civic centre.

“We have an opportunity to develop something very special and I believe we are on track to deliver that.”

Council are currently working on designs for the centre which they said are expected to be completed by mid this year.

Meanwhile, organisers protesting the site’s location will host a get-together at the park on the 31st of this month.