Bundaberg council revamps Anzac Park Budget

A Queensland council has revealed a scaled-down version of a park will take the place of a pool dedicated to Anzacs that was controversially demolished.

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn regrets the loss of Anzac Pool and plans to revitalise Anzac Park in time for the next Civic Ceremony.

The Anzac Day Civic Service is expected to return to Anzac Park in 2025 as Bundaberg Regional Council reveals a staged approach to the area’s revitalisation.

Mayor Helen Blackburn shared the council’s scaled-down plans for Anzac Park on Quay Street.

“Our community has been calling for answers about the future of the former Anzac Pool site, and today I’m pleased to say works will shortly begin to create a space which can properly honour our service men and women,” Mayor Blackburn said.

The approach ensures that memorial services will return to this significant location as soon as possible while ensuring the council’s current capital investment remains within the means of its community.

“The first stage will also prioritise the delivery of memorial elements and an amenities block with toilet and barbecue facilities.

“Due to council’s difficult financial situation, we’ve had to significantly reduce the scope of the Anzac Park project. We’ll be proceeding with plans to deliver stage one at an estimated cost to ratepayers of $6.2m.

“Any future stages will be subject to future council endorsement, budget deliberations, and grants and funding opportunities,” Ms Blackburn said.

In 2020, the Bundaberg Riverside Recreation Park was unveiled by the council at a cost of $19m.

Concept plans released for the at the time $19 million redevelopment of Anzac Park in Bundaberg last September.

Ms Blackburn also addressed the community’s disappointment over the demolition of the former Anzac Pool.

“The community deserves an apology for being kept in the dark about the demolition of our Anzac Pool,” she said.

“It’s something many locals, including myself, were heartbroken to see happen.

“I deeply regret that the Anzac Pool was demolished, against the will of the community, and I apologise to everyone who felt let down and betrayed by the decision.

“Council has stated that this took place to ensure it retained a $5m grant, but the fact of the matter is those funds were never fully accessed and have now effectively been handed back.

“What we can do now is move forward as a community and create this new space where we will continue to honour our Anzac spirit.”

The pool was controversially demolished in 2022, with community backlash at the time.

Consultation on the memorial elements of the Anzac Park project continues with ex-service organisations, and Ms Blackburn said that the council looked forward to sharing more details soon.

While the project timeline for stage one of the Anzac Park redevelopment is subject to weather and unforeseen delays, the key memorial elements are expected to be delivered in time for Anzac Day 2025, following which the amenities block will be finalised.

The council will continue to advocate for federal or state government support for the future delivery of the remaining proposed stages of the redevelopment plan.

Originally published as Bundaberg council revamps Anzac Park Budget