Unique piece of Qld history faces demolition over new parking lot

A piece of Bundaberg’s history is on the line as plans to demolish the building sparks outrage online. Have your say.

A piece of Bundaberg’s history is on the line as plans to demolish the building sparks outrage online. Image: supplied

A slice of Bundaberg’s living history remains on shaky ground as plans to demolish a historic building on a central street have been given the green light by the regional council.

The Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group revealed in a social media post they “unearthed a trail of documents” with the plans to tear down the building to make room for a 14-bay parking lot

Documents on the council’s online application tracker reveal the demolition is scheduled as part of a broader expansion of a hotel that sits adjacent to the building, once recognised as Victoria Hall.

It now operates as a gaming loungeowned by Star Hotel Groups.

In a statement to the media, BRHG said the historic building, considered to be one of Bundaberg’s oldest buildings, had been “radically altered over the years”.

The building, nestled between the Queenslander Hotel and a bakery, was originally built around 1870; representatives from BRHG said “the facade is primarily all that remains today”.

Then and now: Bundaberg’s old Victoria Hall has been slated for demolition after the Bundaberg Regional Council approved a material change of use application last month. Image: supplied

Residents online expressed their outrage over the approved material change of use application, and fondly remembered the old building as the one-stop shop for the latest magazines and novelties while it operated as a curiosity shop.

According to the heritage group, the building housed many important events and decisions in Bundaberg’s early history; “political meetings, community events, balls, auctions, boxing tournaments” among them.

Then and now: Bundaberg’s old Victoria Hall has been slated for demolition after the Bundaberg Regional Council approved a material change of use application last month. Image: supplied

In response to public concerns over the plans, a spokesman for the Bundaberg Regional Council said the application was made in “accordance with relevant State Government legislation and the Local Government’s Planning Scheme”.

The site of the proposed developments — 61 Targo Street — “are not subject to State or Local Government heritage protections” the statement continued.

While the application was approved on April 11, the BRHG remain hopeful the demolition can be avoided.

“The historical significance of Victoria Hall is ironically portrayed by former Council employee and local historian, Neville Rackemann,” a BRHG spokesman wrote.

“In 1992 he said ‘if ever a Bundaberg City Council fails to protect the existence of this building, it should for ever hang its collective head in shame’.”

A representative from Bartley Burns, the town planning certifiers spearheading the developments, was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.

Originally published as Unique piece of Qld history faces demolition over new parking lot