Tender now open for Dalby's landmark cultural centre
Published on 04 December 2025
The tender for Dalby's highly anticipated new cultural centre has been released, marking a major milestone in the revitalisation of the Thomas Jack Park Precinct.
Council is calling for a suitably qualified head contractor to lead the landmark cultural centre project, which will deliver a vibrant new library, art gallery, 121-seat multipurpose cinema, visitor information centre, and communal gathering spaces.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said the new cultural centre had been thoughtfully designed to complement a new adventure playground, interactive water play area, and inviting new gathering spaces in Thomas Jack Park, creating a memorable parkland experience for residents and visitors.
"The detailed design and construction documentation phase is now at the point that Council is able to progress the tender process for Dalby's new cultural centre facilities," Mayor Smith said.
"Council is inviting suitably qualified contractors to submit their proposals and be part of shaping this iconic, once-in-a-generation project for Dalby and the Western Downs region.
"The detailed design reflects Dalby’s identity as the iconic gateway to the Western Downs, seamlessly integrating cultural experiences with the natural beauty of Thomas Jack Park."
In response to community feedback, Council committed to a maximum development footprint of 2500m² for the cultural facilities, while relocating the parks and recreation depot to add approximately 1500m² of new greenspace.
"This initiative ensures the building footprint of the new cultural centre represents just 6.6 per cent of the overall park area, maintaining the natural beauty and open space for our residents," Mayor Smith said.
Renowned Queensland designer and architects OMA with Anna O'Gorman have been working alongside Council to bring to life a design vision for this project that has been shaped by extensive community engagement.
"We look forward to seeing our community’s vision come to fruition and sharing updates on the construction timeline as the tender process progresses."
This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Western Downs Regional Council.
The tender package for the Dalby Cultural Centre project is available now on Tenders.net and Council's website at https://wdrc.au/tenders. Tenders should be submitted before 30 January 2026.