Visions for community facilities to be built on community input

Published on 07 December 2022

Public facilities such as Aquatic Facilities and Showgrounds are important to our local communities, which is why Western Downs Regional Council is seeking public input for the creation of two brand-new future-focussed strategies; an Aquatic Facility Strategy and a Showgrounds Strategy.

Locals have until Sunday 18 December to have their say about these key facilities in the Western Downs and how they use them to guide the creation of these strategies and a vision for them going forward.

Councillor Megan James, Spokesperson for Strategic Communications and Council Facilities, said this was an opportunity for the community to provide ideas on the future direction of facilities which are important to them.

"Keeping in line with Council’s Corporate Plan, these two strategies will guide the direction of future development and management of aquatic facilities and showgrounds across the Western Downs for many years to come, which is why it is so important that the community has the opportunity to have an input," Cr James said.

"Council has a strong commitment and focus on meaningful communications and community engagement which is why this process involves meeting with key users and facility stakeholders, extensive communication with the local communities, and distributing both digital and paper surveys to residents right across the region.

"Once the community input has been collected, Council will review the feedback and gather the key findings before going out for a second round of community engagement to make sure we've got it right before progressing to the development of the strategies.

"Council is interested in all thoughts, ideas, and concerns and looks forward to hearing from a diverse array of stakeholders throughout the Western Downs."

Doug Bougoure, Secretary for the Tara Race Club, highlighted the importance of the region's showgrounds and said a new strategy would benefit the facilities, particularly with the input from local communities.

"Showgrounds are the life blood of communities, they are an essential meeting place where great community spirit is built, and having a strategy in place will hopefully see showgrounds continually improve," Mr Bougoure said.

"The more input from members of the community the better. The more ideas that are brought forward, the greater the opportunities for discussions on how showgrounds and their operations can be improved."

Julieanne Bannister, President of Chinchilla 'Sharks' Amateur Swimming Club, encouraged community members to get involved and have their say to ensure their voices can be captured in the new strategy.

"Pool facilities are valuable to our local communities because they offer the sport of swimming to community members in a safe environment," Ms Bannister said.

"The users of the pool facilities understand the needs and requirements to continue operating. It is important they are involved in the planning of the new strategy so Council can get a broad range of views and an understanding of the consumers' needs."

Printed surveys are available at Council Customer Service Centres and Aquatic Centres or alternatively can be completed online via Council's online engagement portal at www.wdrc.info/engagement.

For more information contact Council on 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624) or visit haveyoursay.wdrc.qld.gov.au/aquatic-showgrounds-strategies.

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