By JONATHON HOWARD
THE Stanthorpe Council Chambers will undergo a major facelift to modernise the aging community contact centre and provide disabled access.
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) recently approved $350,000 for the refurbishment.
SDRC Mayor Peter Blundell said the project would start this month with a completion date around the end of November.
Local builder Rob Wilkinson was awarded the contract.
“During this time the community contact staff will move over to the Stanthorpe Library across the road from council chambers,” he said.
“We apologise for the inconvenience however once the project is completed we will have a purpose-built space for the community contact centre as well as providing disability access to the refurbished area and Council Chambers.
“The Economic Development Unit (EDU) will move to the main office area, allowing the creation of a “people’s place” in this area,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“I’m pleased to see the creation of the people’s place where community groups can hold small meetings with either myself or Councillors, attend Council meetings or drop in just to talk.”
SDRC community facilities manager and Stanthorpe Place manager Michael Bell, who will manage the project, said the council was delivering on a project that the Mayor and CEO Andrew Roach had felt was urgently needed.
“The Stanthorpe Council offices needed to be updated and our plans make good use of the space we have available,” Mr Bell said.
“Stanthorpe Place is a busy hub for ratepayers, developers and business people and the refurbishment will ensure we have better work flows and efficient use of office and meeting space,” he said.
The new design ensures Council delivers on its promise to its people to provide safe, accessible and equitable facilities to the community as identified under the Community Plan 2030.
Anyone with queries about the refurbishment can contact 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372).
