Locals and visitors to the Western Downs can now enjoy a major new attraction with the official opening of the $5.9 million Chinchilla Botanic Parkland.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe today visited Chinchilla to open the parkland, which has been partly funded with a $2.8 million contribution from the Palaszczuk Government's $295 million Building our Regions program.
Mr Hinchliffe said the botanical garden precinct, created on the site of the old Chinchilla Railway Depot, will help bring together the community and unlock more tourism opportunities for the Western Downs.
"Converting the old Chinchilla Rail Depot into a Botanic Parkland will provide locals and tourists with a beautiful space for community events and recreation, as well as provide incentive for visitors to spend more time in the region," he said.
"The project includes an event space and performance stage for an audience of up to 1500 people, as well as an adventure playground with parkour features.
"There's also a water play park, megafauna discovery space, ephemeral creek, and picnic facilities.
"This is another sign of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to supporting jobs and economic activity in regional communities.
"The Chinchilla Botanic Parkland is a great family-friendly space for locals and visitors to connect and an important addition to the town's economy."
The $5.9 million project received Building our Regions funding of $2.8 million, with Western Downs Regional Council contributing $3.1 million.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said the new Botanic Parkland would bring more opportunity for visitors to see what Chinchilla has to offer.
"It's our vibrant communities that make life on the Western Downs such a rich experience, and the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland has delivered a beautiful area with first class amenities for both our local community and visitors to the region," he said.
"Delivering this wonderful community garden project with the State Government is the fruition of a concept that was first canvassed back in the 1970s and we're very pleased it's been such a successful partnership."
Building our Regions also contributed $5 million towards the Chinchilla Potable Water Treatment Plant Upgrade – Stage 1, which was completed in December 2017.
To date, Building our Regions has contributed $7.8 million for new and improved infrastructure in the Western Downs region.
