‘A long time coming’: Work begins on Community Centre expansion

Construction is underway on the Urangan Community Centre expansion with works expected to continue for the next four months: Here’s what the upgrades will include.

Works are underway to expand the Urangan Community Centre, a development said to make a “huge difference” to the area. Picture: Isabella Magee

Construction has started on the Urangan Community Centre, which will be expanded to create a wellness and wellbeing hub.

The expansion of the Hervey Bay Urangan Community Centre, on Elizabeth Street, is said to include a number of different rooms which will allow community centre workers to provide extra services.

The “vision of four years” will include the addition of:

• private and group meeting spaces
• kitchen upgrade
• community garden
• open-air counselling area
• community events and barbecue area
• outdoor therapy and yarning circle
• gentle exercise space
• additional carparking spaces

Works will include multiple upgrades to existing rooms and the addition of extra rooms for the community centre. Picture: Isabella Magee

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre Chief Executive Officer Tanya Stevenson said with Hervey Bay’s “significantly high health and wellness issues,” the expansion was needed.

“Community Services are at capacity at the moment, lots of our services are looking for more expansion, especially in the Urangan area, because a lot of us are on the other end in Pialba,” Tanya said.

Councillor Jade Wellings said the area was “perfect” for this addition. Picture: Isabella Magee

Councillor Jade Wellings said the works were set to be completed in September, where services will then start “straight away.”

“It's very exciting to be here today to see the work start, it's been a long time coming, it's come at a time that we really need it ... post COVID-19 there are a lot of social issues,” Cr Wellings said.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the project is “good news”. Picture: Isabella Magee

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the $1.5 million project was “good news for jobs”.

“Right now, it‘s about jobs ... about driving our economy, about getting money into places like Hervey Bay and I’m very pleased that the Commonwealth is supporting this project,” he said.

Onlookers kept a close eye on the freshly turned dirt at the construction site. Picture: Isabella Magee

Originally published as ‘A long time coming’: Work begins on Community Centre expansion