Redevelopment of Bundaberg ANZAC Park

A riverside events, memorial and community space set to boost the Bundaberg CBD is another step closer with the Anzac Park revitalisation design tender and funding extension awarded.

GHD has been awarded a tender for the detailed design of the revitalised Anzac Park which it will deliver progressively.

Meanwhile the Federal Government, which has contributed $5 million to the redevelopment of Anzac Park under the Building Better Region’s Fund (BBRF), has granted an extension for the delivery of the project to 31 December 2024.

Councillor Jason Bartels welcomed the 12 month project delivery extension which he said was believed to have been delivered to a number of BBRF funded projects in this current round.

“This is a fantastic move by the Federal Government in recognition of the importance of this project to our community and the unavoidable delays many construction projects are facing in these unprecedented times,” Cr Bartels said.

“The Anzac Park revitalisation is an absolute game changer for our entire CBD area and this funding support is essential to its delivery.”

He said it was wonderful to see the project progressing with drainage works underway on site and the detailed design now awarded.

“We’ve coordinated the works schedule so that certain elements can be undertaken in parallel,” Cr Bartels said.

“While we complete the drainage work the detailed design will be delivered and provided progressively.

“The events space will be the first area to undergo detailed design and, pending any unforeseen delays, we expect the detailed design will be delivered in the first half of 2024.

“We can then go to tender for the construction of the events space while detailed design continues for the remainder of the site and the memorial curation takes place.

“As the memorial curation progresses Council will involve the community to determine the final outcome for what will be a regionally significant memorial, if not the best in Queensland.”

Cr Bartels said years of planning and extensive community consultation had taken place on the Anzac Park redevelopment.

“It is so rewarding to see this important project progressing and set to breathe life back into our CBD and make Anzac Park a sought-after destination for the community and visitors.

“This project has been on the wish list for many Council terms and to finally see it being delivered alongside the new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is a boon for the entire region.

“Council works hard to ensure that we are able to continue to deliver the needs and wants of our communities.

“When aging infrastructure is at the end of its useful life it has to be replaced and this is what has been occurring with the Anzac Park redevelopment and the establishment of the new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre, which are both well and truly underway and progressing well.

“Concept designs were developed in 2019 and throughout 2020 and 2021 a wide range of consultation activities were undertaken on these two projects including community sessions and key stakeholder sessions.

“We are anticipating that detailed design will generally follow the endorsed concept plans.”

For more information on the project head to the project page.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The transformation of Anzac Park into a vibrant memorial and community space continues with drainage works underway and plaques and the original pool’s foundation stone in safe keeping.

Councillor Jason Bartels said Council crews were undertaking the current works on site which would see it readied for the construction stages.

“Council’s Civil Works construction crew has been on site for just over a month now carrying out minor earthworks for stormwater drainage,” Cr Bartels said.

“The works will prepare the site ahead of its exciting transformation which will feature a memorial, an open-air stage for community events and features that will attract visitors and families.

“When complete it will be a massive boost to the entire CBD area and become a sought-after gathering place in what is a prime location on the beautiful Burnett River.”

Excavation has begun to prepare the main drainage line and, due to the ground having a percentage of solid rock present, larger machinery was brought in to assist.

The construction of the different elements of the revitalised Anzac Park will be undertaken in stages.

Cr Bartels said the detailed design of Anzac Park’s memorial elements would be undertaken as a separate engagement process to the events, play and landscaping elements.

“Council is committed to ensuring Anzac Park remains true to its purpose as a place of remembrance and respect.

“The revitalised Anzac Park will be a gathering place for commemorative services and will see increased visitation of the memorial as the project’s elements combine to create what will be a premier destination.”

Three plaques were carefully removed from the former pool site and the redevelopment project team has them in safe keeping awaiting the outcome of the curation process.

This includes a February 1971 plaque marking the official opening of a facility building and the plaque commemorating the opening of Anzac Pool by Alderman F.H. Buss in March 1956.

But Cr Bartels said the oldest among them was a foundation stone laid by Angel of Durban Ethel Campbell in honour of the original memorial baths.

“The Anzac Pool from modern memory was constructed in 1955 after the original baths were damaged beyond repair, but the Returned Soldiers Memorial Baths foundation stone remained on the site.

“While the outcomes of the memorial curation process are yet to be determined the memorial baths foundation stone will continue to play an important role in the recognition of the region’s rich history and will be incorporated into the revitalised Anzac Park in some sympathetic way.”

Anzac Park drainage works continue

Council is minimising the impacts of the Anzac Park drainage works with water trucks on site to manage dust.

The riverside footpath directly below Anzac Park remains closed during hours of work to keep the public safe from any potential hazards. The path is reopened each day after work has stopped.

For more information on the Anzac Park Redevelopment project visit Council’s Our Bundaberg Region website.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Drainage works will begin on site at the Anzac Park redevelopment from next week as a tender goes out for the design and construct of the events space.

The redevelopment will see the riverside location revitalised and is set to include an event stage, memorial space and deliver new play opportunities, including water play.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said pipes for the works had recently been delivered to Council’s depot and would begin to be transferred to the site from next week.

“Council’s civil works crew will be undertaking the stormwater component of the works and the team has now taken delivery of the materials required to get this started,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“The stormwater infrastructure will be delivered as part of a staged construction process so the site is ready for successful tenderers to begin work.”

For safety reasons access to Anzac Park will be closed during the works.

A tender for the design and construction of the Anzac Park redevelopment events space will also be available on VendorPanel from Saturday 16 September.

The events space encompasses about two thirds of the Anzac Park site, bounding the Quay Street frontage, RSL and the riverside.

“Early artist impressions show the opportunities for the events space to incorporate an open-air stage or sound shell,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“This would open up opportunities for Council and community events to be held in close proximity to the CBD.

“Our vision for this precinct is for it to become a well-used and popular destination that will see residents and visitors encouraged to spend more time in the CBD and reinvigorate the whole area.”

The detailed design of Anzac Park’s memorial elements will be undertaken as a separate engagement process.

Council understands that construction projects can cause inconvenience and thanks residents in advance for their understanding while works are underway.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Did you know the Anzac Park redevelopment will feature an adventure playground with water play, an entertainment space for outdoor concerts, improved riverside access and an Anzac memorial walk?

I know many people who rarely visit this part of Bundaberg, which given its location along the Burnett River, should be our showcase.

It’s been recognised through multiple master plans over several decades that the key to CBD invigoration is activating the riverside and linking it with the shopping precinct. Think South Bank and Rockhampton.

Recent commentary has focused on the closure of Anzac Pool but hasn’t always considered the broader context, including the need to assist people with disabilities.

Anzac Pool isn’t closing just because there will be a new regional aquatic facility, it’s closing to enable revitalisation of the CBD and riverside.

🏊 Council received $5 million from the Federal Government for this project and I’m grateful to the Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, for his support.

Mr Pitt also secured $32 million to divert heavy traffic from Quay Street, which is another piece of the jigsaw.

Local Government seeks to manage major projects as seamlessly as possible, but sometimes we’re beholden to what the State and Federal Governments decide in terms of planning and funding.

For instance, the Quay Street diversion can’t go ahead until the State completes a Bundaberg Integrated Transport Study, which includes consideration of a third river crossing.

A new river crossing would link future industrial growth with the Port of Bundaberg. That’s an expensive, long-term project and will require federal support to go ahead.

The flood levee is also a critical component. In addition to protecting people, homes, businesses and jobs it will unlock public and private investment in the CBD and East Bundaberg, improving links between the riverside, shopping areas and tourism attractions.

There needs to be a vision for all these dominoes to fall in the right place at the right time, and that’s what I’m trying to foresee as clearly as possible despite so many potential obstacles.

🏊 I understand that regular users of Anzac Pool have an emotional attachment to the site and feel disappointed there will be a gap before the new aquatic centre opens.

Council staff will be liaising with public and private pool operators and schools to manage demand for pool access during the transition, including additional dedicated use for competition and lap swimmers at Norville. This will be communicated before the 2022-23 summer season.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience this will cause but genuinely believe the end result will outweigh the temporary loss.

Anzac Pool is an ageing, deteriorating asset and can’t be redeveloped to an acceptable modern standard at the same site. It simply isn’t practical to expand the pool from six lanes to eight with associated amenities.

In the 2020-21 season, Anzac Pool attracted 24,591 visitors compared with 64,874 at Norville while Norville had 22,223 child visitors compared with Anzac 2869.

Children can’t vote at the ballot box but they have voted with their flippers.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

What we’re talking about is generational infrastructure. The riverside precinct and regional aquatic facility will serve the next 50 years of Bundaberg residents and beyond.

🏊 There was no deception regarding the closure of Anzac Pool. Most of the public statements from Council referred to ensuring a smooth transition and minimising disruption.

Up until late 2021, I believed the new aquatic facility would be built before the Anzac Park redevelopment.

In June 2021, the State Government announced $13 million towards the aquatic centre and asked that it be finished by the end of 2024.

In October 2021, the Federal Government announced $5 million towards the Anzac Park redevelopment with a condition it must be finished by December 2023.

That necessarily required a review of the planning and timeframes for both projects.

🏊 Every dollar that Council receives from the State and Federal Governments is a dollar less that ratepayers have to contribute.

Previous councils have been unable to go ahead with major social infrastructure because of funding constraints.

Thanks to federal and state support we’re now in a position where we can leave a lasting legacy to create new memories for future generations.

The Anzac Park Playground on Quay Street is being removed to make way for an extensive redesign that will include a new state-of-the-art play space.

A recent assessment revealed that equipment and rubber flooring at the playground had deteriorated beyond repair.

Bundaberg Regional Council's parks and gardens portfolio spokesman, Cr Wayne Honor, said plans for a redesign of the precinct were in the process of being completed.

“This playground has effectively reached the end of its usable life,” he said.

“Moving forward there are already plans for an extensive redesign of this precinct, which will include a state-of-the-art playground.”

Anzac Park has been identified for a riverside activation project.

That project will involve the redevelopment of Anzac Park and the pool, and preliminary designs show a variety of water recreational, civic and cultural uses.

Council is working on grant applications for this to proceed, along with the establishment of a regional aquatic centre.

Divisional Councillor Tracey McPhee said although it was sad to see the playground go, detailed design and planning had been undertaken to create a new modern recreational, civic and cultural space, including new children’s play equipment.

“Being a mum of two I’m very pleased that council are out and about, being proactive in their management of our parks and gardens,” Cr McPhee said.

“It’s never fun seeing facilities go, however I do support council’s decision not to replace the equipment at this time.

“Knowing that the area is to be included in an extensive redesign in the coming years, I think it’s appropriate council doesn’t spend money on equipment that will need to be removed before the end of its lifetime.

“We have another two playgrounds and a recreational space just 600 metres east of here with an amazing park and playground at Alexander Park Zoo, just a few minutes drive away.”

https://www.bundabergnow.com/2020/07/01/anzac-park-playground-redesign/