New shed a win for ‘people power’

By Jeremy Sollars

The RANGE residents’ action group in Warwick has welcomed funding in the new Southern Downs Regional Council budget of $25,000 for a new shelter shed for Swanfels Pioneer Memorial Park.
The council demolished the original historic sheds – formerly from the old Swanfels State School – in February, citing safety concerns over termite damage which was angrily refuted by locals and former school students.
The council budget released last week allocated $25,000 for “the design and materials for construction”.
Engineering Services director Peter See said he was pleased to announce the building work of the Swanfels shelter would be undertaken by apprentices employed by All Trades Queensland.
“In conjunction with All Trades Queensland, I’m pleased that the council can support the training and employment opportunities for the young people of the Southern Downs,” he said.
It is understood the construction will be done at no cost to the council.
RANGE spokesman Andrew Gale told the Free Times the group “ultimately were extremely happy that the structure is being rebuilt”.
“We believe it to victory for people power and sincerely hope moving forward that everybody in the council takes the lessons from this on board and doesn’t repeat them,” he said.
“We will be really happy when we see the structure is actually completed – to the original design, which is what the residents want – and Swanfels Pioneer Park returned to how it was.
“This project was really the catalyst that got the RANGE group going – I’m glad to see that with been able to achieve something for the community.
“Our group would also like to thank the Swanfels and Yangan communities for allowing us to work with them to push this matter through with council.”