Precinct 58 funding secured
Bridges Secures Growing Regions funding for Bundaberg Fire Stations redevelopment into Precinct 58
“This is the best news we could've got for the new year, and it is a credit to the whole Bridges team. There are exciting times ahead for Bridges!!" Tony Castro - Bridges’ Chair of the Board
Bridges Health & Community Care is ecstatic to announce the acquisition of $1.91 million in funding from the Australian Government's Growing Regions. This investment, along with a 50% contribution from Bridges to the overall cost will facilitate the transformation of the former Bundaberg and Rural Fire Stations into “Precinct 58” - a dedicated hub for arts, culture, and wellbeing as an integral part of the “BridgeWorx” Creative Wellbeing Strategy for the Bundaberg community.
The Growing Regions Program is committed to enhancing community infrastructure across Australia's regional, rural, and remote areas. The $159 million allocated to 25 projects in regional Queensland underscores the government's dedication to fostering strong, vibrant communities.
Sharon Sarah, CEO of Bridges Health & Community Care, expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude for the project and funding:
"This funding is a significant milestone for our community. Precinct 58 will serve as a beacon for creativity and wellbeing, integrating arts and cultural initiatives to support mental health and foster social connection. We are grateful for the government's support and look forward to bringing this vision to life."
The redevelopment plans for Precinct 58 include:
· Heritage Interpretation: Showcasing the rich history of the site through murals, interpretive signage, artefact displays, interactive technology, and guided tours.
· Creative Spaces: Providing accessible areas for producing and presenting various art forms, including visual, performing, and digital arts.
· Community Events: Hosting home-grown events that highlight original productions and offer venues available for hire.
Café: Serving as a social hub for visitors and community alike, to connect and inspire.
Bridges Health & Community Care has been actively preparing for this redevelopment, investing in architectural concepts, securing council approval for a change of use, and scoping the cost of works. In the interim, the organization has focused on collecting stories of the fire station through a Regional Arts Development Fund-supported oral history project, preserving and honouring the site's legacy.
The funding from the Growing Regions Program propels Precinct 58 closer to becoming a reality, promising a vibrant space that nurtures creativity, supports mental health, and strengthens community connection in Bundaberg. Bridges would like to acknowledge and thank the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (the Minister), as the decision-maker for the Growing Regions Program – Round 2.
Click here to read how the project started.