The heritage significance of Childers’ Palace Hotel is to be further protected with the formulation of an updated plan to safeguard it into the future.
Bundaberg Regional Council has been awarded $16,534 from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action Heritage Conservation grant program to develop a new Conservation Management Plan for the heritage-listed building.
A Conservation Management Plan is a formal document that identifies the cultural heritage significance of a building and provides guidelines to protect, conserve and sensitively manage that heritage.
Council’s Arts and Heritage portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said the plan for the Palace Hotel was due for reassessment, as it was first developed in 2001 after the tragic fire of 23 June 2000.
“The initial plan established how the surviving heritage character of the building, and particularly the iconic Churchill Street façade, should be preserved, stabilised and interpreted,” Cr Learmonth said.
“Now, 25 years later, a revised plan is needed to review current site conditions, reassess the significance of the building and outline the best-practice approach for ongoing conservation, repair and maintenance.
“As the building ages, Council has a responsibility to ensure it is appropriately managed in compliance with Queensland Heritage Register obligations and in line with community expectations.
“The Palace Hotel remains a symbolic and emotional location for the Childers community, survivors, families and international visitors.
“Ensuring sensitive, respectful conservation is a priority.”
Cr Learmonth said the community could expect no impact to building access or appearance as a result of the planning process.
“Specialist consultants have been engaged to carry out a physical inspection of the building from which they will develop the Conservation Management Plan,” he said.
“There will be no construction activity at this stage and no changes to public access to the Palace Backpackers Memorial, Childers Arts Space or adjacent public spaces.
“Once the plan is complete, if there are any recommended conservation or repair works, Council will provide appropriate notice to minimise disruption to the community and visitors.”
Development of the Palace Hotel Conservation Management Plan has been funded by the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action Grants Program which provides funding for the conservation and celebration of State heritage places entered on the Queensland Heritage Register that are accessible to the local community and tourists.
