Bridges Health & Community Care has announced the acquisition of $1.91 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions.
The investment, along with a 50% contribution from Bridges to the overall cost will facilitate the transformation of the former Bundaberg and Rural Fire Stations into “Precinct 58” – a dedicated hub for arts, culture, and wellbeing as an integral part of the “BridgeWorx” Creative Wellbeing Strategy for the Bundaberg community.
The Growing Regions Program is committed to enhancing community infrastructure across Australia’s regional, rural, and remote areas.
The $159 million allocated to 25 projects in regional Queensland underscores the government’s dedication to fostering strong, vibrant communities.
Sharon Sarah, CEO of Bridges Health & Community Care, expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude for the project and funding.
“This funding is a significant milestone for our community,” she said.
“Precinct 58 will serve as a beacon for creativity and wellbeing, integrating arts and cultural initiatives to support mental health and foster social connection.
“We are grateful for the government’s support and look forward to bringing this vision to life.”
The redevelopment plans for Precinct 58 include:
- Heritage interpretation: Showcasing the rich history of the site through murals, interpretive signage, artefact displays, interactive technology, and guided tours.
- Creative spaces: Providing accessible areas for producing and presenting various art forms, including visual, performing, and digital arts.
- Community events: Hosting home-grown events that highlight original productions and offer venues available for hire.
- Café: Serving as a social hub for visitors and community alike, to connect and inspire.
Bridges Health & Community Care has been actively preparing for this redevelopment, investing in architectural concepts, securing council approval for a change of use, and scoping the cost of works.
In the interim, the organisation has focused on collecting stories of the fire station through a Regional Arts Development Fund-supported oral history project, preserving and honouring the site’s legacy.
The funding from the Growing Regions Program propels Precinct 58 closer to becoming a reality, promising a vibrant space that nurtures creativity, supports mental health, and strengthens community connection in Bundaberg.
All buildings built before 1990 should be torn down we have the highest rate of mesothelioma caused by asbestos in the world and there has been little to no progress made towards reducing this. This inaction is responsible for over 50 thousand deaths across Australia alone.
It’s nothing but the next work for the dole project where unemployed that have been looking for work for more then 6 months will be forced to do activities for 8 weeks that have been proved to not increase employment outcomes or social outcomes of anyone who sees through the nonsense. Funding was found by APM for it. I know of absolutely 0 people that I did any work for the dole or training courses or even tafe with actually working anywhere.