Jondaryan Woolshed operations to be taken over by Toowoomba Regional Council

Describing the business model as ‘no longer the best fit’ one of Australia’s oldest and largest woolsheds will hand its operations over to Toowoomba Regional Council.

Toowoomba Regional Council will take on the operations of one of Australia’s largest and oldest woolsheds.

The decision to take over the operations of the woolshed were made at a Toowoomba Regional Council meeting on Tuesday, July 20, and it comes after the council’s decision in March to shut the heritage-listed site to conduct “detailed building and safety assessment” in order to bring it up to a safe operational standard.

TRC finance and business strategy committee chair Geoff McDonald said council would take over the day-to-day operations of Jondaryan Woolshed following a request made by the board.

“We’ve been working closely with the Jondaryan Woolshed Board for quite some time now and it’s been clear that we all have a shared vision to preserve this much-loved facility,” Mr McDonald said.

“To ensure this happens, the (Jondaryan) board proposed to step down from all operational functions and instead act as a strategic advisory group.

“The board believes council is better placed to manage the day-to-day activities of the Woolshed in regard to the financial operations, staffing, maintenance and managing functions.

“Council has agreed to this request and is pleased the current members of the Board want to continue being involved as the shared knowledge from this group will no doubt be valuable as we move forward.”

Describing the existing business model as one that “may no longer be the best fit for this facility”, Mr McDonald said council and the board would work together to ensure appropriate decisions are made in relation to existing staff, following consultation with them.

“Council values each and every staff member and volunteer of the Woolshed and would like to thank them for their work and contribution to date,” he said.

“We will support them throughout this change to ensure it’s as smooth as possible.

“This is the best possible outcome for the Woolshed, its staff and volunteers and the Board while Council undertakes a building and safety assessment.

“There is a general agreement the existing business model may no longer be the best fit for this facility and as such, we will need to speak with the local community and potential business partners, to look at what could be a better fit.

“The Jondaryan Woolshed links us to our past and is an integral part of our Region’s heritage and a valued tourism attraction.”