The former Allora Shire Hall in the Southern Downs has been restored thanks to a $695,000 funding grant from the Palaszczuk Government.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, who this weekend dedicated the hall which is now being used by the local Historic Society, said the project was another great success story from the $600 million Works for Queensland program.
“The building was used as the Shire Hall from 1915 until 1960, when the Council opened new offices,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Since 1960 the old hall has been the focus of local community groups as a meeting place or to hold functions.
“It has been much loved over the years by the local community and needed restoration.
“We felt it was important to preserve the building for future community use.”
The dedication of the building coincides with Allora’s 150 Year Celebrations of Local Government.
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie thanked the Government for the Works for Queensland funds which helped preserve an important part of the Council’s history.
“Restoring the building is a fitting tribute to celebrate Allora’s 150 year of Local Government,” Cr Dobie said.
“This building is an important piece of our Council history, and now it is renovated it will have a second life as the Historical Society’s building.
“The beautifully restored building shows what can be achieved when two levels of government work together for the good of the community,” she said.
The Southern Downs Regional Council received a total of $2.9 million from the 2017-19 Works for Queensland Program to help build 11 infrastructure projects for the benefit of the local community which created or support 133 jobs.
You can read about the third round of Works for Queensland projects at https://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/local-government/grants/works-for-queensland
