Woollam dives in to aquatic centre construction

Megan Dean

Woollam is now on site and ready to start work on the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre, the next major project in the Queensland company’s almost 140-year history.

Appointed as head contractor for the Bundaberg Regional Council project, Woollam officially took over the site of the new aquatic centre this week.

Founded in 1884, Woollam is Queensand’s oldest privately-owned building company.

During that time it has been responsible for the construction of regional landmarks from the Stockman’s Hall of Fame to the recently unveiled Rockhampton Museum of Art.

Woollam General Manager Chris Lucas said the company was pleased to be working in Bundaberg again and to help deliver the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre.

“[The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is] an incredible project for the community and we’re proud to be involved,” Mr Lucas said.

‘’Woollam is a name that has been around for 138 years and throughout that time we’ve always been known for working together - with our communities, with our contract partners, with our clients, and with each other – we’re excited to bring that philosophy to this project,” Mr Lucas said.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre construction is the single biggest contract undertaken in Bundaberg Regional Council’s history, requiring a head contractor with specialised skills and expertise.

Throughout the contract tender process Council has worked to ensure local contractors would be provided opportunities within the project’s construction.

Woollam Constructions was awarded the tender for its experience delivering major pools and complex large-scale community infrastructure with a commitment to engaging local companies in the construction process.

“We are engaging a great cohort of trades from the local area including major supply contracts such as reinforcing steel and concrete,” Mr Lucas said.

“We anticipate at the peak of construction we will have approximately 120 workers on site daily, so this will inject a significant amount of stimulus into the local economy too.

“Woollam has been working in the Wide Bay Burnett region since the early 1900s, and more recently completed construction work at Branyan Road State School, so we know that there are skilled and capable trades in the area.

“Working in the regions, if you don't partner with the local suppliers and trades, it's almost impossible to build these projects.”

Mayor Jack Dempsey joined Woollam Constructions on site of the new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre this week to welcome the contractor to the region.

“It is so exciting to see this project getting underway,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“The new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre will improve health outcomes for the entire community from learn-to-swim classes right through to rehabilitation and therapy sessions.

“Best of all, it’s best practice accessibility features will ensure the entire facility can be enjoyed by all.

“It’s a project that has been in the planning stages for over a decade and it’s very rewarding to see work starting on this generational project.”

Mr Lucas said Woollam Constructions recognised the significance of the project to the Bundaberg Region community.

‘’There’s a lot to be confident about Bundaberg in general,’’ he said.

“This is just the beginning of what will be an exciting and significant opportunity for Bundaberg over the next couple of years directly and indirectly.

“We’ve been building in the Fraser Coast to Rocky corridor for a long time, including the recent upgrade of Gladstone Hospital and a number of retirement communities in Hervey Bay, so we want to see jobs, opportunity, and dollars benefit the region where possible,” Mr Lucas said.

The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre has been funded with support from the Queensland Government Works for Queensland program.

Moore Park Beach winery proposed

Ashley Schipper

A winery and associated distillery has been proposed for development in Moore Park Beach, with tours and tastings part of future plans for the site.

Bundaberg Regional Council recently received the development permit for a Material Change of Use to establish a winery to process an existing grape crop at 32 Heron Close.

“Once established, a distillery producing less than 2,500L per annum is proposed to reuse waste by-product produced in the wine making process to create brandy,” the application states.

“Upon review of its operation, it is intended that this volume may be increased on an as needs basis.

The application states it is anticipated that ancillary tourism and retail uses would be associated with the proposed material change of use.

“This would be in the form of winery and distillery tours, tastings and wholesale retailing of the produced wine and brandy,” the proposal reads.

“The nature of tours and tastings would mean that visitor numbers would be grouped together for a limited number of tours per day.

“The existing facilities on site including a parking area, which are currently associated with the horse trail riding business would be shared and sufficiently accommodates the anticipated needs of the proposed development.”

Crazy Cactus opens in CBD

Georgia Neville

Crazy Cactus has opened on Bourbong Street, with a unique offering for all to enjoy and opening hours that will cater for everyone.

The new café is offering a unique take on both Mexican and Australian cuisines, with owners Gayle Clark and Sandy Davis excited to provide something new for the community.

With everything from pork and gravy rolls through to deep fried burritos and organic coffee, there is sure to be something for all on the menu.

Sandy said the café had been a work in progress for a few months now with its central location allowing the café to open late nights each Friday and Saturday.

“We have been working on this for eight to nine months now and we wanted to be central and in the main street and this space came up,” Sandy said.

“We will be open 10 am until 7 pm Monday to Thursday and on Friday and Saturday night we will be open until 1 or 2 am.”

Gayle said the different menu items had all proven popular with the community since they opened at the end of September.

“Sandy’s deep fried burrito is going really well as well as our nachos and tacos as well as the shank and gravy roll and pork and gravy rolls which are also proving really popular.

“Sundays we have an all-day roast, which brings the Aussie into it.

“The deep fried burrito is chilli con carne with rice and wrapped and deep fried.

“We are also going to make three different types of little pizzas in the afternoons.

“The name came to us because of the Mexican offering but also because we are a little bit crazy!”

Crazy Cactus café is located at Shop 1/54 Bourbong Street, next to The Club Hotel.

Free fitness opportunities for the community

Georgia Neville

Bundaberg Regional Council’s Be Active, Be Alive spring program will kick off from Monday with a number of free fitness activities available for the community.

With activities in Gin Gin, Childers and Bundaberg there is sure to be something for everyone in the program, including a fantastic mix of exercise options such as Yoga, cardio tennis and Boxfit at various times throughout the week.

Council’s Sport and Recreation Spokesperson Cr Vince Habermann said the free eight-week program provided the chance for the community to get active for no cost.

“The Be Active, Be Alive program is a fantastic initiative that provides free classes for community, encouraging people to making classes accessible for everyone,” Cr Habermann said.

“There are a range of different session times available, including morning and evening classes to make sure there is a time for everyone to try an activity they might be interested in.

“We love seeing the community get involved in the Be Active, Be Alive program and look forward to seeing its success once again.”

Free Be Active Be Alive sessions chance to try something new

Melinda Ricciardi from Woodgate BeachFit will be facilitating the gentle stretch sessions in Woodgate which are safe low impact stretching classes designed to increase a range of movement.

Melinda said the Be Active Be Alive program was a great opportunity for those who may not be as involved in fitness programs to try sessions for free.

“I love sharing fitness with those people in the community who attend the Be Active, Be Alive classes who may not regularly attend exercise classes,” Melinda said.

“Seeing the joy it brings to them is great, as well as the social connection it builds within the community.

“While the fitness aspect is important, the social interaction is just as important for people’s mental health, and after our Be Active, Be Alive classes here in Woodgate we go up the road for coffee too.”

You can find the full program for the free Be Active, Be Alive initiative here.

Flick the switch for turtle hour

Georgia Neville

With the Bundaberg Region renowned for the turtles that call it home the annual Turtle Hour event is an opportunity for residents to think about how they can reduce lighting impacts.

The event is set to once again be held as part of the upcoming Milbi Festival to promote reducing urban glow.

As a project in itself, the community is encouraged to see what they can do to help reduce urban glow on an ongoing basis, with Turtle Hour a good opportunity to start the conversation.

Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey said Turtle Hour provided an opportunity for everyone to play a part in protecting the local environment.

“Our beautiful coastline is world renowned as a turtle nesting site and Mon Repos is an important natural area that we’re very proud of and keen to preserve,” he said.

“As residents of the region, we should be playing our part in reducing urban glow day in, day out, with turtle hour a perfect opportunity to start doing that.”

Anyone interested in being part of the annual event can easily get involved by simply turning off their lights from 7 – 8 pm on 31 October.

This event is hosted in support of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Reducing Urban Glow initiative.

Register for the event here.

To find out more about the ecological significance of turtles nesting in our region and how you can track light glow in our region here.

Turtle hour details:

Date: Monday 31 October
Time: 7 – 8 pm
Location: Your house or business
Cost: Free

About Urban Glow

Reducing Urban Glow is important as scientific evidence indicates that artificial light sources have a negative impact on adult turtle nesting site selection and hatchling ocean finding behaviour by preventing turtles from navigating to and from the ocean.

The Bundaberg coastline hosts the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the east coast of Australia and is home to 50 per cent of endangered Loggerhead turtle breeding activity in the South Pacific Ocean.