Gympie council calls tenders for Civic Centre repairs after 2022 Qld flood
The long-awaited reopening of Gympie’s Civic Centre may finally be within sight, following a shutdown prolonged by a global pandemic and one of Queensland’s worst national disasters on record. VOTE IN OUR POLL:
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The long-awaited reopening of the years-shut Civic Centre may finally be a step closer with the region’s council opening tenders for the multimillion-dollar repair job.
The council opened its tender process on Wednesday, saying in a statement it was the first step in finally getting the centre’s doors open.
The council set aside more than $6 million for the project in its latest budget.
Gympie’s one-time arts centre has been shuttered since late 2020, with its expected reopening repeatedly pushed back first due to the Covid pandemic, and then the discovery of extensive damage to the building from the 2022 flood disasters and an ongoing insurance claim.
An extensive mould infestation was among the problems discovered in the building following its initial closure.
Mayor Glen Hartwig welcomed progress on the centre’s repair which has drawn criticism from community and arts leaders.
“Our region has missed its premier cultural and performance space, and as part of this year’s Council Budget, we committed $6.19 million to progress its renewal,” Mr Hartwig said in a statement.
The planned work will including upgrading the centre’s facilities includings office, toilets, showers, and dressing rooms, along with improvements to the facility’s acoustics and technical assets.
“(The) council is now waiting on its insurance company to finalise its damage claim which was the result of storm damage and is also seeking external funding to help cover the final cost of the remediation,” Mr Hartwig said.
“The community has been extremely patient as Council has worked through several challenging roadblocks that have set us back, but we’re excited to move forward and get a great outcome for this important asset.”
Tenders close on Monday, May 26, 2025.
More Coverage
Originally published as Gympie council calls tenders for Civic Centre repairs after 2022 Qld flood
‘Until she passed out’: Armed stalker strangles, brutally bashes ex
This 21-year-old Qld man stalked, threatened and savagely attacked a young woman, at one point holding a knife to her throat. *Distressing.
‘Pure heroin’: Inside latest case against shot drug dealer’s brother
High-profile criminal brothers have been pictured outside a Qld court – one adding to his 19-page rap sheet and the other, who recently survived a gunshot wound to the head, showing up for moral support.
Tradie who ‘hates’ violence threatens to burn down ex’s house
A former tradie who claims to hate violence thanks to his upbringing in an abusive household has now himself threatened the mother of his children in a series of chilling texts.
Watch the mini doco: Survivor’s fight for justice after harrowing rape
While walking home, a young woman was targeted by a teenage predator whose sickening acts changed her life forever. She’s now sharing her harrowing story in the hopes she can help other women speak out. WATCH THE MINI DOCO
How the battle for rape inclusion in youth crime reform unfolded
Following months of pressure, the Crisafulli Government has listened to Queenslanders, and its advisory panel, and ensured that the offence of rape would be one of five juvenile crimes included in the Making Queensland Safer Laws.
Watch: Inside race to save teen after freak heart attack behind wheel
A seemingly healthy 17-year-old Qld girl was driving to the gym when she suddenly lost her vision and started having a seizure. Her brave mum and hero ambos had a fight on their hands.