Yeppoon’s historic railway precinct to be revitalised

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Published
2nd March 2022

Part of Yeppoon’s historic railway station precinct will be able to be used as a Community Recovery Hub, thanks to funding from the Australian Government.

Livingstone Shire Council was successful in applying for a $2.5million grant for the project under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants programme.

Council received $4.5million in total for seven projects across the shire.

Mayor Andy Ireland, Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, said the Station Community Recovery Hub was not a duplication of the existing Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management, Innovation and Community Resilience (The Hub).

“The intent of the Station Community Recovery Hub is to create a central, open space location for hosting community disaster logistics, co-ordination, response, recovery training, and events,” Mayor Ireland said.

“The grant will help Council build a large outdoor undercover area on the site at James Street, along with landscaping and public parking.

“During non-disaster times, the immediate area surrounding the railway station could be used as a public market, entertainment, and socialisation precinct to support community events, workshops, and weekend events.

“A significant portion of the $2.5million grant will go towards site earthworks to decontaminate the land for community use as well as connecting power, water, and sewerage to the historic railway building.

“Future use of the historic railway building is yet to be determined.  A public expression of interest process will need to be undertaken and any applications received would be considered based on merit.

“We’re not building another Hub. The Hub is a unique multi-use facility which is not only activated as the Local Disaster Co-ordination Centre during times of disaster but is also used for training, education, and for projects to build community resilience.

“Council would like to thank the Australian Government and Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry for providing this vital funding for the Livingstone community.”