Allora Community Hall to receive massive upgrade with funds allocated for crumbling infrastructure

A major but rundown community building in the Southern Downs is set for an upgrade, with the council saying it is a “priority”. See inside the transformation here.

A notable meeting place for one Southern Downs community is expected to be reopened following a $300k upgrade to restore the aged building.

Allora Community Hall, which has a capacity for 325 people, has been closed since 2021, but could finally be reopened this year after negotiations were met to finance the reconstruction.

The town hall is currently ‘unusable’ with a 2023 damage report by council revealing “major deformations to the walls and roof” as well as leaks and small structural flaws.

Allora Community Hall will be upgraded at a cost of more than $300,000, following being "unusable" (Photo: supplied)

The Southern Downs Regional Council allocated a $221,495 tender to the Allstruct firm to complete the remedial work at the December 9 council meeting.

An additional $150,000 from the 2nd quarter budget will ensure the construction is complete.

In the council minutes, SDRC deemed the project a reputation-making issue for Allora locals, with the “confidence of the community in Council and its reputation could be damaged” if the project was not to go ahead.

A council spokesperson said the project was considered urgent by council.

The spokesperson also confirmed the project will not impact any planned council-backed upgrades in the region, such as the Warwick Saleyards upgrade, or Stanthorpe Library and Art Gallery renovation.

Allora Community Hall has been a dedicated forum, meeting place and function space for many years. (Photo: file)

The council said the “repairs to the hall will ensure this community asset is made safe and available for use,” after being closed in November 2021.

Community survey results conducted by SDRC and obtained by Daily News with notable feedback describing the use of the hall as “essential” and that “there is nowhere else in town to hold a significantly sized function.”

It’s not the first time Allora residents have dealt with infrastructure issues in their small town.

In early 2023, residents claimed they had been forced to buy drinkable water due to brown sediment coming from their taps, and that they’ve been unable to shower as a result of crumbling infrastructure.

It is expected the upgrade is forecast to be completed by May 2024.