Queensland’s Isis Shire Council has invested almost $3 million over the past six years in major upgrades of its parks, gardens and main street for its heritage listed and main town centre, Childers. Following a downturn in the local sugar industry, Council sought to bring more business to the region. Ideally situated on the Bruce Highway, Childers had the potential to attract visitors from neighbouring regional centres, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.
Council’s upgrades included a memorial to the local Kanakas – a group of South Sea Islanders, two new amenities blocks, picnic tables and upgrades to off street parking. In the main street, the entire western side of the CBD footpath was reconstructed. Power lines have been undergrounded in a joint venture with Ergon Energy, and new outdoor eating areas have been constructed. The kerb has also been realigned for better pedestrian access and a $250,000 artworks project, designed to tell the history of the Shire, is now in place.
Council also faced the tragedy in 2000 of the Palace Hotel Backpackers fire and invested a further $2 million to reinstating that building to its Federation glory. The building now houses the Childers Information Centre, the Isis Art Gallery and an outstanding memorial to the 15 backpackers who lost their lives in the tragic fire.
Childers is now a thriving rest stop between Brisbane and Rockhampton attracting thousands of visitors every day. Council and residents now feel a real sense of optimism and economic prosperity in both the town of Childers and Isis Shire.
