Brolga Theatre performance space to be enhanced

A new storage area is being added to the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough.

“The theatre has been bursting at the seams as it juggled a variety of local productions and touring shows,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

“The $500,000 project, being funded under Round 3 of the Queensland Government – Works for Queensland program, will inject much needed funds into our local economy and provide work for local tradies with the building project to be undertaken by local company WIN Constructions.

“Council is very focussed on ensuring we attract touring shows to the Brolga.

“These shows inspire local artists, provide us with a cultural outlet and entertain us.

“The touring productions also have an economic benefit and help attract visitors to the Fraser Coast.”

The new space will provide a larger loading dock which can also be used for short-term storage of the travel cases used by touring productions, storage for large theatrical equipment such as sets and double as a performance workshop area.

“The extra space will enable the theatre and convention centre to be more versatile by allowing staff to prepare for upcoming shows without interrupting performances and conferences that are underway,” Cr Seymour said.

“That will enable greater use of the theatre and convention centre.”

The project is starting today and is expected to take 16 weeks to complete.

The Member for Maryborough, Bruce Saunders, was very proud of the Works for Queensland program.

“It has delivered more than $39 million to the Fraser Coast Regional Council to ensure infrastructure and maintenance programs can occur, while creating and maintaining jobs in these COVID-19 times,” he said.

“This project will ensure that the Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre maintains its reputation as a premier regional facility and will have cultural and economic benefits for the region.”

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the theatre upgrade was just one example of several projects taking shape across the region that were providing jobs and economic stimulus at a time when global economies were being battered.

“Upgrading the Brolga Theatre is exactly the type of project the $600 million Works for Queensland program was designed to help our councils deliver,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Across the three rounds of the program, Fraser Coast Regional Council has received $39.45 million to help deliver 64 projects, creating or supporting 315 jobs so far.

“The Council also received more than $9 million as part of the additional 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland program, which will support or create almost 160 jobs.

“It is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when our two levels of government work together for the benefit of the community.”