$6m cash splash to create ‘groovy’ outdoor venue to rival Riverstage

A former dairy factory is set to rise as one of southeast Queensland’s grooviest outdoor venues after a $6.57 million cash splash by the state government.

The state government has given $6 million to the renovation of the Kingston Butter Factory to turn it into an entertainment and arts venue.

A FORMER dairy factory is set to rise as one of southeast Queensland’s grooviest outdoor venues after a $6.57 million cash splash by the state government.

BUTTER FACTORY GETS $12M in BUDGET

BUTTER FACTORY TO KEEP ARTS

The Kingston Butter Factory, south of Brisbane, will be redeveloped as a major music and entertainment venue complete with the return of its popular Butterbox Theatre, a studio and an outdoor stage.

The outdoor stage will be able to cater for crowds of up to 5000 and was first mooted when a previous council promised a $12 million overhaul of the site to include an innovation hub.

The former Butterbox Theatre will be reprised as part of the renovations.

The Butter Factory, built in 1907, was closed late in 2018 after council allocated $8 million to overhaul existing buildings and turn its theatre into an IT and innovation hub.

But those plans were ditched last year, when the council was under administration and the innovation hub plan wiped.

The additional $6 million state funding, announced on Monday, will mean the overhauled outdoor venue will rise to be a rival to Brisbane’s Riverstage.

It is envisaged concerts, plays, theatre and other outdoor shows, including Logan City’s popular Eats and Beats music nights, will be held at the outdoor arena, which was estimated to cost $2.3 million.

Logan City Council’s Eats and Beats food truck events could be held at the Kingston Butter Factory.

Money will be spent on parking and a ring road designed to keep traffic flowing one way around the venue, which borders the Kingston train station.

The renovated venue, expected to be completed by June creating 157 jobs, will also include a multi-use plaza, viewing areas and a forecourt.

It will also mean the Logan City Historical Museum Society and the Arts and Crafts Cooperative will be eligible to move back to the site.

The society, along with a ballet school, were moved from the Butter Factory in 2018 when it was decided to use the site for an innovation hub.

The factory produced dairy goods until 1983 before it was converted into a community centre in 1988.