Western Downs Regional Council is delivering a revitalisation of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct to create a modern, vibrant and welcoming community hub for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Chinchilla Cultural Centre is home to several important community facilities including the Customer Contact Centre, Library, Cinema, Cultural Centre and Lapunyah Art Gallery.

This upgrade is one of several major projects fast-tracked under Council's COVID-19 Recovery Package to secure and create jobs and boost the liveability of the Western Downs.

The project will re-energize the popular community hub and drive future economic growth while supporting the current needs of the community.

Key Features:

• Revitalised and modernised cinema entry and office
• Reinvigorated library, with open and welcoming entryway and seating, as well as multimedia area, computer room and reading courtyard
• Revitalised art gallery with a whole new layout and refreshed look and feel, as well as new communal workshop activity areas
• Beautiful street arbours and 'bush houses'
• New communal workshop for community activities
• New walkway, seating, landscaping
• Grass amphitheatre and sitting terraces
• Enhanced lighting
• New signage and wayfinding
• Refurbished precinct public toilets

Temporary Arrangements due to construction

Chinchilla Library

• Chinchilla Library will temporarily move to 27 bell Street, Chinchilla
• This move will take place between 14 and 16 March 2022
• The Library is expected to reopen in its temporary location on Monday 28 March 2022

Chinchilla Cinema

• The Chinchilla Cinema will temporarily close from 2 May 2022
• Due to the nature of the equipment required and no suitable alternatives, Council is unable to reopen a cinema in another location during this time
• Council will be offering more free outdoor movie nights during this time

Cultural Centre (Auditorium and Wattle Room)

• The Cultural Centre (Auditorium and Wattle Room) will temporarily close from 1 May 2022
• No bookings beyond this date will be accepted
• Council is working with pre-existing bookings to find alternative solutions
• If you have any queries about an upcoming booking contact Council on 1300 COUNCIL (268 624)

Lapunyah Art Gallery 

• Lapunyah Art Gallery will temporarily close in its current location from Wednesday 23 March
• Council is working with Lapunyah to find suitable alternatives for a temporary relocation

Project Status: Underway - Tender Process

Stage Outlines:
A detailed design has been finalised to ready the project for construction. The project now progressing through the tender process for construction.

Estimated completion

• The project is estimated to be completed in June 2023

Progress Updates:

20 January 2022 - Funding Partnership announced and designs unveiled
Council secured $6.9 million under the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to deliver the project

Funding Source:

This is project is funded by the Australian Governments Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and Western Downs Regional Council

Related Documents:

Funding partnership to deliver revitalisation of Chinchilla Cultural Precinct

Media release - Chinchilla Library temporarily relocates to make way for Chinchilla Cultural Centre Revitalisation

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