Strong support for plan for Maryborough CBD space

Fraser Coast residents who took the opportunity to have their say on a draft master plan for the Maryborough CBD’s newest community space were overwhelmingly in favour of it.

Mayor George Seymour said the draft masterplan aimed to guide the future design and development of the old Maryborough Council administration building site that is now green space and the former Maryborough Baby Clinic.

“Council consulted with the community over four weeks in March using a range of methods, including a survey, written submissions, displays at the Maryborough Markets, a School Captains Network meeting and a stall at a community event in Tinana,” he said.

“The overall findings show that 94 per cent of survey participants were positive about the plan, voicing their support for measures such as the retention of open space, greenery, historical recognition of the site, shaded areas, seating, artwork and accessible pathways.

“The next step is to finalise the master plan for Council endorsement, with the development to roll out as funding becomes available in the future.”

Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said a range of interesting initiatives were included in the draft masterplan for the Maryborough CBD space.

“Custom-designed pergolas are proposed over sections of a walkway to provide protection from the weather, and this would be supplemented with the planting of native vines and shade trees such as Maryborough’s iconic tree – the scarlet bottlebrush,” he said.

“There are also proposals for a projection on the School of Art building wall, as well as art and sculpture within the site to reflect the history and importance of the space and surrounding buildings.

“There has been a lot of work carried out in recent years to revitalise the Maryborough CBD and this new masterplan provides an opportunity to build on that good work to ensure this is an active and attractive area.

“The overarching vision is to create an integrated civic precinct that respects the historical significance of the site while also providing a connected, functional and flexible community space.”

Cr Daniel Sanderson said survey respondents had a range of views on how they would like to see the former Baby Clinic building used.

“Options supported include a community space (30 per cent), an arts and culture venue (24 per cent), a bar, café or tourism information centre (24 per cent), to provide services to mothers with babies and children (16 per cent), or to celebrate the history of the building (15 per cent),” he said.

“Council also sought expressions of interest to lease the former Baby Clinic and while there were several community groups that inspected the building, no formal submissions were received.

“The vacant building was impacted by the 2022 floods and requires significant interior remediation work to make it suitable for public use.

“As Council supported the listing of the building on the Local and State Heritage Registers, we have agreed to consider allocating funds to restore the building as part of the 2024/25 mid-year budget review.

“Council is eager to ensure the best possible use of this space within the heart of Maryborough.”

Council also resolved to consider providing a lease to the Maryborough Regional Art Society in Maryborough.

The green space was created after an independent engineering report found that the former Fraser Coast Regional Council building at 431 Kent Street had reached the end of its working life and had to be demolished.

The former Maryborough Baby Clinic was built in 1924 and continued to serve the community until its closure in the 1990s. It was bought by Council in 2020 and listed on the Queensland State Heritage Register that year.

For more information and copies of the draft masterplan and the community engagement report, visit https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/mb-admin-site-masterplan