The signature heart of Peregian’s Rufous Street Precinct is now in place, with the opening of the new Peregian Beach Community House.
The facility includes multi-functional spaces, three hire rooms, landscaped greenspace and purpose-built facilities to assist services that help disadvantaged residents.
Bark Architects designed the building with input from the Peregian Beach Community House management committee, while Grant Calder contributed project management and design expertise for the wider Stage Three project.
“Truly a community space, members of the Peregian Beach Community House committee played a hands-on role designing the building so it would best meet the community’s needs,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.
“Many community groups – not just from Peregian Beach but across the shire – will enjoy and gain great benefit from the new Community House for many years to come.”
The new construction also paves way for the old building’s refurbishment to support the Peregian Digital Hub’s expansion, which is currently under construction.
“Fitness, art and theatre classes are just some of the programs that have transitioned over to the new Community House, and as the centre is much bigger, there is scope to host so many more activities and functions,” council’s community services director, Kerri Contini, said.
Construction was made possible with $2.5 million from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, just under $114,000 from the Queensland Government’s Maturing the Infrastructure Pipeline Program, and $2.55 million from council.
“Great things happen when three levels of government work together. We’re thrilled to have had federal and state government support to deliver this fantastic facility,” the Mayor said.
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said the Commonwealth Government’s Building Better Regions Fund contributed $2,550,179 towards Stage 3 of the Rufous Street Masterplan.
“Not only do you need road infrastructure and water infrastructure, but I’m fighting for social infrastructure – if the community is going to be cohesive, we need to create the venues they can meet with common interests.
“This is what the community wanted and we may be opening it today – but it was in such demand it has already been operating for some time and is well supported by a myriad of community groups.”
The new Community House is the centrepiece of the $5.2m Rufous Street Precinct Stage Three, which also includes a 4000sqm greenspace with sculptured gardens, a play area, winding footpaths and carpark.
Peregian Beach Community House Committee president, Mary Crawford, joined Mayor Stewart at the official opening.
“The PBCH Management Committee is honoured and thankful to be part of designing the new Community House with Noosa Council and Bark Architects and to be able to continue to manage this wonderful space for our community,” Ms Crawford said.
“The community spirit that once embodied the old bowls club on this site for so many years before it closed, continues to evolve and strengthen and has found a new life in this new facility,” Ms Contini said.
“We’ve had to overcome a few hurdles along the way with this project, but it’s all been worth it to deliver the high-quality asset unveiled today,” Mayor Clare Stewart added.
