New Amiens historical centre to boost Granite Belt tourism

Drought-affected Amiens History Association’s new site plans are set to improve the visitor experience of historical artefacts and the building’s sustainability. 

Amiens History Association has plans to build a new site to house a new theatrette at the Amiens Legacy Centre and create a more visitor friendly experience. Picture: NRM

A Granite Belt community group affected by drought, COVID, and the bushfires will continue the region’s historical legacy through the development of new facilities to help boost visitor experience.

Amiens History Association former president Roger Willis said the group has plans to build a new site which is expected to house a new theatrette and create a more visitor friendly experience.

“The current theatrette is an old-style shed from a forestry plantation that we have kept authentic, and because of that there are a lot of cracks in the building causing dust and wind to come through,” he said.

“With more and more people coming to the centre wanting to be educated, we want to give the visitors a better experience and feel that moving the theatrette to a larger building will achieve that.”

Mr Willis said the association would use some of the $32,659 in government funding, which he applied for in his tenure as president, to help with the construction of a new multipurpose shed at the Amiens Legacy Centre.

He said it would support the influx of newly discovered historical artefacts.

“We need more storage as we are receiving more historical items and therefore want to move the storage from the refurbished rail carriage to a bigger space,” he said.

“Solar panels will also be installed on the new shed to cut down overhead costs of electricity and support sustainability.”

Mr Willis said the centre was affected by the drought, with the depleted grounds and dead grass impacting visitor experience.

“This funding will help us to bounce back, as we can’t make it rain but what we can do is increase tourists to the districts and therefore boost the economy and help resilience in the community.”

The association received the funding through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the government was proud to support the foundation’s work to help deliver crucial projects that will strengthen regional economies and social bonds in drought-affected communities.