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Councillor Mick Curran, Gympie Regional Council Mayor

The Gympie region is evolving... from its roots in gold-mining to a rapidly growing and diverse region.

Over the next 20 years, our area is projected to be home to more than 60,000 residents.

This forecasted growth means that we need to ensure that we have adequate and strategic infrastructure in place that meets the future needs of our community.

During the past 12 months, we have implemented key projects that not only contribute to the region’s architectural landscape, but we are helping to shape and mould our city and townships into a network of connected and liveable places and spaces.

This perfectly aligns with our vision that the Gympie region is the natural choice to live, work and play.

We want people to see what we do – a beautiful and well-positioned region that offers an enviable lifestyle.

We are promoting Gympie as a key

destination for tourism and major events in Queensland, and this will stimulate growth and give residents and businesses the confidence to invest in our community.

One of our key strategic themes is to nurture an economy that is dynamic, productive and resilient.

We are committed to establishing Gympie as a major service centre of the Wide Bay Burnett region, which will provide opportunities for current and future generations.

Our evolutionary process is exciting - we want to continue to transform our region into a sustainable and progressive

regional centre which values its heritage assets, but also embraces a modern future.

Aquatic Recreation Centre (ARC)Unquestionably the biggest infrastructure project over the past year was the award-winning Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre.

After 17 months of construction, the state-of-the-art facility was officially opened on 1 April with more than 2,000 people in attendance.

The modern, multi-purpose facility now plays an important role in our community by supporting health and social wellbeing.

T R A N S F O R M I N G T H E G Y M P I E R E G I O N

FEATURE ARTICLE

ARC indoor pool.

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The centre, includes: a 50m outdoor regional competition pool which is capable of hosting regional events, a 25m heated indoor program pool to support all-year round activities, a zero depth leisure pool/splash pad/activity zone, dual water slides, seating for up to 600 spectators, a 52 bay car park, kiosk/café, a multi-purpose room, office space, and disability compliant spaces and amenities.

Council secured $5 million from the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development through the National Stronger Regions Fund for the $22.2 million project.

It was a critical step in the provision of much needed community services to our rapidly growing regional population.

The design of the Gympie Aquatic and Recreation Centre incorporated energy efficient technology. The entire facility is fitted with LED light fittings including the flood lights and photovoltaic solar panels were used to offset electricity usage.

These panels generate about 20% of the total electricity demands which equates to a $40,000 saving each year. There are also energy efficient pumps and heating.

Direct and indirect employment opportunities were created during and after the construction phase with more than 20 jobs allocated during construction, and now the Centre employs eight full-time staff.

Most recently, the state-of-the-art facility was labelled as “one of the best pool complexes in Queensland”.

In August, the Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre was awarded a Queensland Master Builders Sunshine Coast Construction Award for Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million.

Smithfield Street RevitalisationIn July this year, one of the Gympie Town Centre’s high-profile areas – Smithfield Street was transformed into a unique CBD precinct.

The $2.6 million project was jointly funded by the State Government’s Building Our Region’s Program and sought to improve on the

existing character amenity of the town centre.

We delivered cost-effective streetscape improvements with the introduction of new street furniture, pedestrian crossing points, significant street tree planting and landscaping, streetscape lighting, public art, and widened pedestrian pavement areas.

As part of Council’s broader Gympie Town Centre Urban Design Project Program, a number of objectives were realised throughout the project. These included: enhancing pedestrian amenity; creating nodes of activity; supporting pedestrian movement; enhancing positive design features and providing for well-designed parking.

With a strong link to the region’s heritage, the public art and materials were inspired by Gympie’s initial settlement and growth as township and its ongoing agricultural and farming prosperity. The streetscape design theme was based on the gold discovery by James Nash in 1867.

This successful project has highlighted the number of economic and social opportunities available within the town centre.

We officially opened the street last month and it was attended by thousands of locals who came out to show their support for the completed project.

Mary Street RevitalisationUnder the same banner of the Gympie Town Centre Urban Design Project Program, further works are programmed for the main street in the Gympie CBD.

Major streetscape improvements will be undertaken in Mary Street

ARC Multi-purpose room.

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including underground power to establish the framework for street tree planting to extend the green leafy character of the existing streetscape.

The design will include: new street furniture, pedestrian crossing points, street tree planting and landscaping, streetscape lighting, public art, widened pedestrian pavement areas to encourage alfresco dining at key locations and improved accessible parking.

Our Towns – Sustainable Centre ProgramWe are continuing to work closely with our rural and coastal townships to enhance their existing community infrastructure and economic sustainability through the Our Towns – Sustainable Centre Program.

The township of Cooloola Cove recently received upgraded pedestrian links, landscaping, and

seating in its high profile areas.

These works have improved the inter-connectedness of these public spaces and enhanced the visual amenity for locals and visitors to enjoy.

It has also contributed to a creating a unique identity for the township.

Future works will be carried out in Goomeri and Tin Can Bay later in the year.

Innovation HubGrowing businesses is a key priority for Council and recently we sought feedback to develop a business case for a proposed Innovation Hub.

We have more than 4,000 existing businesses in our region that could benefit from the support that an Innovation Hub could provide – as well as those looking at start-up businesses.

The facility will create an environment which connects the business community together and encourages more collaboration and information-sharing.

And now with technology opening the doors to a global economy, the potential and possibilities for entrepreneurs and business owners are limitless.

The proposed Innovation Hub is the latest in a line of initiatives that we have rolled out under the Start-up Gympie Region Program, which provides support to local businesses.

Council has engaged Colin Graham of Causeway Innovation to support the development of this project due to his experience with similar successful projects such as the Innovation Centre at the Sunshine Coast University.

Smithfield Street.