Thangool 2014/2024 Place Based Plan

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The Thangool Place Based Plan is a controlled document. Please visit the Banana Shire Website at http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/index.php/71 and ensure you have the latest copy prior to using or referencing the document. AMENDMENT DETAILS OF AMENDMENT AMENDED BY No. Date *Initials/Date Draft 9 16/09/2011 Final Draft Final 23/11/2011 Endorsed by Council PJC-23/11/2011 Reviewed 30/04/2013 Phill Casey & Melinda Petty Draft 07/10/2013 PJC- 07/10/2013 Final Endorsed By Council

The following planning document was developed on behalf of the Banana Shire Council by Economic Development Services – Central Queensland.

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© Banana Shire Council 2011

Contents Introduction ...... 4 PURPOSE ...... 4 METHODOLOGY ...... 4 STRUCTURE OF DOCUMENT ...... 4 LOCATION ...... 5 HISTORY ...... 5 DESCRIPTION ...... 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF KEY CENSUS RESULTS ...... 5 Social Infrastructure ...... 6 GOVERNMENT SERVICES ...... 6 EDUCATIONAL ...... 6 COMMUNITY ...... 6 ARTS ...... 6 PLAYGROUP ...... 6 SPORT ...... 6 RELIGION...... 6 SERVICE GROUPS ...... 6 RECOGNISED COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 6 Future Directions ...... 7 COMMUNITY IDENTITY & VISION ...... 7 COMMUNITY PLAN ...... 7 Infrastructure & Facilities ...... 7 Public Facilities ...... 7 Recreation Reserve ...... 7 COMMUNITY PLANNING ENGAGEMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING ...... 9 ACTION PLANS ...... 10

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 Community Engagement Introduction processes with residents in the Shire; PURPOSE  Related Internet Search. This Place Based Plan is intended to help the community, elected representatives, service STRUCTURE OF DOCUMENT providers and government agencies better This document is structured into a number of understand the diverse nature of the discrete parts, which are: individual towns that make up the Banana Shire and the possible social, economic and Section 1 – This section provides a general environmental issues they may face now and introduction to the document in the future. Also, this plan aims to develop a Section 2 – Town Overview long term strategy for the growth and Section 3 – Social Profile development of the Banana Shire. This Section 4 – Achievements of Thangool growth and development will be considered in Section 5 – Future Directions a wide range of areas that are mentioned in this document. These areas such as Arts, Sports and Youth are considered to be integral to the development of the shire and its occupants.

METHODOLOGY The Banana Shire Council has identified that a “Place Based” Plan is required in each of the Shire’s twelve towns. This will allow us to develop a positive trend regarding population growth as well as fulfilling the potential of the individual community’s economic and social future. From the development of the “Place Based” plans the Banana Shire Strategic Community Plan will be developed.

In summation, the consultation process will include:  Gathering of and referral to available ABS statistics;  Discussion of related issues and policy with Government Departments and key stakeholder representatives;  Meetings with representatives from regional organisations that have economic development roles;  Attendance at meetings, networking or speaking to local leaders and community groups;  Research/referral to a variety of historical literature;  Research/referral to a variety of regional strategic planning/consultancies currently in progress;

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LOCATION The town of Thangool is located 12km South Thangool has diversity in local small of Biloela, 153km South of Rockhampton and businesses including a service station, two 577km North-West of Brisbane. hotels, Post Office, two licensed carpenters, backhoe and truck hire, aircraft refuelling, HISTORY welding and prefabrication, two Originally part of the large Prairie run environmental clean up businesses, concrete Thangool was named in 1924 with the name batching plant, bus and charter service and being a derivative of the aboriginal word squab processors. “tangoor”, meaning possum. The average annual rainfall of the area is The town was surveyed in 1925 and shops 700mm (28 inches), but tends to be erratic in were established soon after. The Callide distribution. However, when seasonal Valley railway line was extended to Thangool conditions are favourable, excellent yields of before its final extension to Lawgi in 1931. A all grain crops are harvested. The most cotton boom in the 1930’s allowed the town important dry land (rain grown) crops are to support two hotels, two butchers, two sorghum and wheat although cotton, bakers, a picture theatre, a cordial factory, a sunflower, barley and mung beans are also blacksmith and a bank. A district aerodrome grown. The principal irrigated crops are was laid out on the showgrounds in 1938 and cotton, lucerne, sorghum, wheat and beans serves as the Shire‘s Main Airport. (both navy and French). Herb production for the food service industry is also a new The Thangool Racecourse is one of the Queensland Industry that was developed by largest racecourses in the area and holds a Thangool farmers. Herbs from the CD Herb number of meetings a year including the members are exported throughout the world. annual Thangool Cup. The Thangool The majority of the herbs are supplied for Racecourse racing fraternity have helped put Gourmet Garden products. Thangool on the sporting map. The Mount Scoria Conservation Park is located 10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF KEY kilometres South of Thangool and is home to CENSUS RESULTS one of only three known formations of its kind In the 2011 Census, there were 296 people in in the world. Thangool (L) (Urban Centres and Localities) of these 48.6% were male and 51.4% were DESCRIPTION female. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Thangool is best known for its aerodrome, people made up 1.4% of the population. race track and proximity to Mt Scoria. With Detailed census data is available via the ABS and Queensland State Government OSER. daily flights to and from Brisbane, Thangool is www.abs.gov.au the gateway to the Callide Valley. The www.oser.qld.gov.au Thangool Race Course is the main track in the shire, the fourth largest in the central region and holds regular meetings.

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 Thangool Race Club Inc. Social Infrastructure  Thangool Tennis Courts  Thangool cricket pitch GOVERNMENT SERVICES  Yoga Thangool boasts a variety of services such  Thangool Inc. as:  Australia Post RELIGION  Thangool Airport The spiritual needs of Thangool and the  Queensland Fire & Rescue and Rural surrounding area are well looked after by the Fire Service - Thangool Station local religious organisations:  St. Andrew Anglican Church EDUCATIONAL  St. Andrew’s Ladies Guild Thangool receives all Education Queensland  The Living Word Fellowship services through:  Thangool State School SERVICE GROUPS The school is effectively supported by: Local service groups include:  Thangool State School P&C  Queensland Country Women's Association Association Inc. - Thangool Private education and high schools can be  Thangool Inc. accessed through daily bus services.  Playgroup Qld

COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELFARE SERVICES Achievements of The health and welfare of the Thangool Thangool Community is supported by:  Gladstone Child Safety Service RECOGNISED COMMUNITY Centre - Department of Communities - ACHIEVEMENTS Child Safety  Community Health services which People include in-home outreach options  Friendly  Blue Care home nursing services  People and family connections  Anglicare home visits and social  Acceptance support services  Honesty  Chaplaincy program Services  Rural lifestyle with services nearby ARTS  School For those who appreciate the performing arts,  Accessible Locality the Thangool Amateur Players & Singers Inc.  Career goals are achievable regularly performs to the delight of the  Rural fire brigade community. Thangool also hosts winter and Community Christmas markets annually that attract  Working together as one community people from the surrounding areas.  Support of the community  Safe environment PLAYGROUP  Small and personal For those with children, the Thangool  Caring community Playgroup meets regularly.  Peaceful Infrastructure SPORT & RECREATION  Thangool Memorial Park Thangool and district is the proud home of a  Geoff Web Memorial Garden variety of sporting and recreational clubs:  Thangool Recreation Reserve and  Dawes Hall Recreation Club Inc. Hall  Lawgi Hall Association Inc.  Lawgi Indoor Bowls

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Future Directions Public Facilities COMMUNITY IDENTITY & VISION The addition of walking pathways and footpaths around town would be of benefit to Today: Thangool, home of the possum, is a the community and these pathways could community of immense pride celebrating the possibly lead further out of town and around services provided by the QCWA, Thangool the race course. Inc., Thangool Race Club, Thangool Airport and the businesses in and around the Other upgrades to the town’s facilities could community. include:  The addition of a half-court in the Future: The Thangool community is working Memorial Park towards the continued development of the  Sealing the Geoff Webb Memorial community including: Garden car park  residential growth,  Construction of new QCWA duplexes  development of the Thangool airport as in Britten Street for the aging an aero-industrial precinct, population  continued development of Thangool State  Maintain transfer station School  Develop walkways  Community leadership.  Maintain current mowing contract  Continue current methods used by COMMUNITY PLAN Thangool Inc.  Play equipment for older children e.g. Infrastructure & Facilities a skate park There is an opportunity for attracting new  Watering system at the local park families, encouraging the retention of current residents and increasing the number of Recreation Reserve tourists that stop in the area through the The continual improvement of the Thangool continual improvement of current facilities as Recreation Reserve would include: well as adding new infrastructure and  The sealing of the Recreation amenities. Reserve car park making the area more practical in wet weather Housing  Refurbishment of awning Housing and accommodation play an Also, an opportunity exists for the school and important part in the future expansion of the Recreation Reserve to facilitate the showing area. As such it is recommended that of movies in a manner similar to cinemas. assistance is offered where possible by Council and Community groups to help in the Tourism development of housing and accommodation The local tourist attraction of Mt Scoria has in Thangool. great potential, the local walking paths are

well cared for which means Mt Scoria has Parks and Gardens great potential as a tourist attraction in the There are a number of priorities for current area. To utilise this, further development and infrastructure in the Thangool area: promotion needs to be undertaken.  Developing the gardens along the It has been expressed by members of the main road Thangool community that they wish the  The improvement of the Memorial Thangool Airport to continue to be the major Park and Geoff Webb Memorial passenger airport in the Banana Shire. The Garden Thangool Race Club holds the Thangool Cup  Upgrade lighting in and around the annually which draws large crowds from parks surrounding communities in and outside of the shire.

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School Industry There exists within the town an opportunity to As a domiciliary community for both local improve the safety of local children and youth industry and businesses in Biloela, the issue through the development of improved road of industry is not a high priority as it is in crossings. Areas that require particular many other communities. However, the attention are the crossing near the Hotel continued development of Thangool Thangool and the Airport intersection Aerodrome will bring the opportunity of aero crossing. Both of these areas could have based industries as well as benefiting the infrastructure developed to ensure they are tourism of the entire Shire. used safely such as barrier fencing and signage. Also a safe turn around is needed The impact of the second Gas Pipe Line outside of the school. project that runs parallel with Thangool is of great concern to the community. The impact Drainage on the community from this work needs to be The community requests that both the considered and any potential benefits condition and design of the roads and the compared to any negative impact such as the condition of the local kerb and channelling be safety of the community’s children and any addressed in a five year planning process. damage to infrastructure such as roads. Examples of this are the kerbing outside of the Red Steer Hotel and the Thangool-Biloela road and the condition of the Barry and Cullen Lane drainage.

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COMMUNITY PLANNING ENGAGEMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING

The ongoing process of updating and ensuring that the community owns the community plan will be undertaken following the timeline below.

Planning Chart

ACTION PLANS

Infrastructure and Activity/ Task Council’s Role Stakeholders Timing Facilities Improve general aesthetics and the availability of public facilities in town including garden along the highway Thangool Inc and the continuation of the town maintenance Partner Ongoing Banana Shire Council contribution.

Upgrade and maintain visitor facilities, parks, gardens Thangool Inc and the public buildings in town Partner Ongoing Banana Shire Council Complete the development of the QCWA Cottages QCWA Advocate 2016 Thangool Inc Continue the development of walkways and bikeways in Thangool Inc and around the town Provider Ongoing Banana Shire Council Continue to develop the Recreation Reserve including Continue the Thangool Inc sealing the car park Advocate 2016 partnership between the Banana Shire Council community and Council Seal the Geoff Webb Memorial Garden Carpark in developing Provider Banana Shire Council 2016 community Complete and upgrade the kerbing in the Burnett infrastructure Highway/Ramsay Street Provider Banana Shire Council 2016

Repair the Ramsay Street footpath Provider Banana Shire Council 2016 Maintain support to the Thangool Race Club to ensure that Thangool Race Course receive sufficient meetings Qld Racing Advocate Ongoing to be sustainable. Thangool Race Club

Continue the development of the Thangool Racecourse as a premium country racing facility Advocate Thangool Race Club Ongoing

Continue the development of Mt Scoria as a major Thangool Inc tourist attraction Advocate Banana Shire Council Ongoing National Parks

Continue the upgrade of the Thangool Memorial Park. Partner Thangool Inc Ongoing Provider Banana Shire Council Maintain the transfer station ensuring that it is kept Partner open Provider Continue the development of walkways Partner Provider Development of a half court within the park precinct. Partner Provider

Industry Activity/ Task Council’s Role Stakeholders Timing Develop partnerships between Banana Shire Council, the community Encouraging industry development through the and industry Provider Banana Shire Council 2016 development of the Thangool Airport as an airpark stakeholders to ensure the future of industry in the area

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