The Anzac Day Civic Service is expected to return to Anzac Park in 2025 as a staged approach to the area’s revitalisation is revealed.
Mayor Helen Blackburn has today shared Bundaberg Regional Council’s scaled-down plans for Anzac Park on Quay Street.
“Our community has been calling for answers about the future of the former Anzac Pool site, and today I’m pleased to say works will shortly begin to create a space which can properly honour our service men and women,” Mayor Blackburn said.
The staged approach to the delivery of the revitalisation project ensures memorial services will return to this significant location as soon as possible while ensuring Council’s current capital investment is within the means of its community.
Stage one will include the civil works that will lay the foundation for future stages which would be delivered as resources and budget allows.
Mayor Blackburn said the first stage would also prioritise the delivery of memorial elements and an amenities block with toilet and barbecue facilities.
“Due to Council’s difficult financial situation, we’ve had to significantly reduce the scope of the Anzac Park project.
“We’ll be proceeding with plans to deliver stage one at an estimated cost to ratepayers of $6.2 million.
“Any future stages will be subject to future Council endorsement, budget deliberations and grants and funding opportunities.”
Mayor Blackburn also made special mention of the former Anzac Pool, and the community upset that its demolition caused.
“The community deserves an apology for being kept in the dark about the demolition of our Anzac Pool.
“It’s something many locals, including myself, were heartbroken to see happen.
“I deeply regret that the Anzac Pool was demolished, against the will of the community and I apologise to everyone who felt let down and betrayed by the decision.
“Council has stated that this took place to ensure it retained a $5 million grant but the fact of the matter is those funds were never fully accessed and have now effectively been handed back.
“What we can do now is move forward as a community and create this new space where we will continue to honour our Anzac spirit.”
Consultation on the memorial elements of the Anzac Park project continues with ex-service organisations and Mayor Blackburn said Council looked forward to sharing more detail soon.
While the project timeline for stage one of the Anzac Park redevelopment is subject to weather and unforeseen delays, the key memorial elements are expected to be delivered in time for Anzac Day 2025 following which the amenities block will be finalised.
Mayor Blackburn said Council would continue to advocate for Federal or State Government support for the future delivery of the remaining proposed stages of the redevelopment plan.
