Debate over Maryborough council admin building rages on

Some want to keep the new green space opened up by the demolition of the old building, while others are content to see the council admin centre go right back where it was. We examine the issues surrounding the centre and the CBD ahead of next month’s council meeting. VIDEO + STORY

When the demolition of Maryborough’s council administration opened up a new vista and green space on the periphery of the central business district, an almost inevitable debate ignited.

Should Fraser Coast Council rebuild on the flood-prone site, with appropriate mitigation in the new design? Or should the new green space be allowed to remain.

Currently, the Fraser Coast council vote stands in favour of building in the original location, but a report to be delivered next month could change that.

For some, like Maryborough real estate agent Tony Nioa, who works in Adelaide St, it would make sense to keep the new admin building in the CBD, but to have it elsewhere.

He wants to see the green space remain, preferring to see the building out of the flood zone.

It is a matter the council has contemplated.

Plans for the new admin building, if it was to go ahead at the current site, would include considerable flood mitigation, including a car park that would lift the office spaces and planned library out of the flood waters – as well as providing much needed parking space in the CBD.

But even with those features, keeping that green space is still desirable, Mr Nioa said.

“My thought is there are better options,” he said.

“I think it’s retrograde to put it in the flood zone.”

Mayor George Seymour votes against placement of Maryborough council admin building

The temporary council space in Adelaide St demonstrated the impact having the admin building in the heart of the CBD could have, Mr Nioa said.

Council staff made the most of the cafes and businesses and added to the vitality of the CBD itself, which has had an ongoing problem with vacant shop fronts.

“It helps support all those little eateries, it helps support that whole community feel,” Mr Nioa said.

“It lifts the presence of council staff within the community.”

Demolition of the Fraser Coast Regional Council admin building in Maryborough. Photo: Alistair Brightman

Too many empty shops is a complaint shared by CBDs everywhere as online shopping becomes more popular and more people find themselves working from home rather than in an office space, especially post Covid.

But Mr Nioa said the issue was not as hopeless as some seemed to believe.

The future of the CBD was in office space and providing in-person services, such as hairdressers, tattoo artists, restaurants and cafes, which can never be provided online.

“It’s not retail, it’s a business district,” he said.

“You can’t buy a hot cup of coffee on the internet and you can’t get a haircut on the internet.”

While some businesses, including the Aussie Punjab Indian Restaurant and Kebabs on Kent, have closed their doors, other businesses have opened, Mr Nioa said.

The explosion of manufacturing jobs in the city, including at the munitions factory, Downer EDI, the sawmills and other steady positions, including in the health sector, meant while some focused on a few vacant shop fronts in the CBD, they were missing the bigger picture of Maryborough’s revival, he said.

In the street, opinion is divided.

Some are surprised a new administration hasn’t already replaced the one that was torn down.

Others are concerned with the style of the building, feeling it should emulate the heritage style of other structures across the city rather than simply being a modern office.

Acting Mayor Paul Truscott said the council had twice investigated rebuilding the admin centre at the former site.

But further feedback from the community and a petition led to council investigating an alternative site.

“That currently is happening and we’re waiting on a report to come back to the July council meeting for further consideration.”