After 28 years, Ballogie’s vision for community facility moves forward

After 28 years of effort, the Ballogie Community Association has been granted a 10-year lease by the South Burnett Regional Council to develop a community and recreation facility, transforming an undeveloped reserve into a vibrant hub for local activities.

The Ballogie Community Association plan to develop a community and recreation facility on an empty lot. Image: SBRC.

After 28 years of effort, the Ballogie Community Association has secured a 10-year lease from the South Burnett Regional Council to develop a vibrant community and recreation hub on an undeveloped reserve.
The South Burnett Regional Council unanimously approved a 10-year lease, during the July Ordinary Council Meeting, for the Ballogie Community Association to develop a community and recreation facility on an empty lot on Chinchilla-Wondai Rd.

The Ballogie Community Association had requested to enter into a trustee lease for the undeveloped reserve, which adjoins a state-controlled road and stock route.

The Ballogie Community Association aims to transform the undeveloped reserve into a vibrant community hub, enhancing the quality of life for residents and providing a space for various recreational activities and social gatherings.

The project is divided into two stages, with stage one focusing on the initial set up, including maintenance and mowing of the reserve, vegetation clearing, development of an access road and parking with all-weather access, creation of sporting grounds and a recreation area, construction of undercover shelters, installation of a water tank and a community noticeboard, and the purchase and installation of portable toilets.

The Ballogie Community Association will enter into a trustee lease for an undeveloped reserve. Image: SBRC.

Stage two will see further enhancements with the development of a playground, installation of a cemented court for basketball, handball, and other games, construction of a boundary fence, installation of a cricket pitch, and the development of a support hub such as a Men’s Shed.

Future plans for the lot include organising sporting and social events, educational programs, and flea markets.

Councillor Ros Heit congratulated the group, who were in attendance during the council meeting, on their hard work and said she looked forward to working with them in the future.

“I’m fully supportive of this motion,” Ms Heit said.

The Ballogie Community Association plan to develop a community and recreation facility on an empty lot. Image: SBRC.

The council will cover any costs associated with preparing the trustee lease.

The Ballogie Community Association, a newly incorporated organisation, has been committed to realising the project which began in 1996 when the community first sought to develop the land.

Despite initial efforts, including obtaining a tree clearing permit in 1998 and hand clearing a small section of approximately 0.6 hectares, the project was abandoned due to the group not being incorporated.

With renewed resolve and formal incorporation, the association submitted a petition with over 40 signatures, demonstrating community support for the lease and development of the land for recreational and social community events.

The group haven’t announced yet when the project will commence.

Originally published as After 28 years, Ballogie’s vision for community facility moves forward