We’ve been invited to give our thoughts on the proposed redevelopment of Browne Park into a 10000-15000 seat stadium, what about another prominent landmark, that has been in the news recently, but little detail provided about its future. The redundancies of the Rockhampton railway Roundhouse workers have been rightfully well covered by local news, but what is to happen with the heritage listed building? Is its fate to sit behind locked gates to deteriorate or be sold for ‘urban redevelopment’? I think Rockhampton deserves a definitive answer. “Undoubtedly the most important building constructed in the expansion of the Railway Workshops during the 1910s was the Rockhampton Roundhouse. The Rockhampton Roundhouse is an iconic architectural structure that symbolises our rail history and is a testament to the longevity of rail in Queensland. The Roundhouse was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. The listing recognises the significance of the Roundhouse in the development of the steam era in Queensland and its rarity as one of only two remaining full roundhouses in Australia”. These are quotes from the Aurizon publication, ‘Recollections of the Rockhampton Roundhouse’. It would be a huge shame if the building only becomes a distant recollection. Thus, I feel it is important to have a public conversation as to what should happen with the iconic architectural structure that is the Roundhouse. Interestingly the Roundhouse and accompanying Aurizon site was considered for the Central Queensland Stadium and Convention Centre, along with Browne Park. The Aurizon CBD site, the Showgrounds Precinct, Kershaw Gardens and CQUniversity were identified in a half million-dollar feasibility study as the 4 sites (out of the 10 assessed) to rank highest against performance criteria. In favour of having the stadium and later convention centre being built at the Aurizon site was that it is considered to have ample parking, be an easily accessible site and “there is an opportunity to utilise the existing heritage buildings on the site to create a distinctive stadium design with large open space and plaza areas”. A constraint to the site was that it is within 6km of the airport, requiring CASA approval for the lighting required. The Populous feasibility report did recommend the Showgrounds Precinct as the best site for a stadium and convention centre, but it does demonstrate that with some creative thinking other uses for the Roundhouse can be envisaged. Could it be a concert venue? Would have been perfect for a Johnny Cash concert in his day. Imagine Jimmy Barnes singing Working Class Man there, video footage would go national. We are enticed to travel south for performances (and a day) on the green (vineyards), what a special venue Roundhouse would make that could attract visitors here for a unique experience. Look what Birdsville does with just a sand dune. Being next door to a train station adds to the opportunities you could explore, like ‘bands on the train’ tours from Bundaberg, Mackay, even further afield. Visit www.bigeasyexpress.com to see what could be done. And what about the rail enthusiasts, it is a global market, if promoted with Archer Park Station and Mt. Morgan station would this market be viable to tap into? Or should Aurizon spend the money to update the building to enable major maintenance work in Rockhampton that was once pledged? We need to stoke more public conversation; if it doesn’t happen we risk the Roundhouse being only remembered by those that worked there and that may not be enough for it to be revitalised, or perhaps even saved.
Go Queensland tonight, thank you Billy for all the highlights, hope there are one or two more tonight.