Work restarts on Tinana Hall

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Just on 13 cubic metres of concrete was poured into the new footings for the Tinana Hall as part of a major renovation designed to extend the life of the hall for another 100 years.

“The hall is one of five community halls across the region that have been renovated as part of a $960,000 program,” Cr Phil Truscott said.

“After a pause waiting for materials, the contractor is now installing the floor joists.”

So far, new footings and steel adjustable piers have been installed along with steel bearers, fastening tabs have been welded on in readiness of timber joists and then the floorboards will be installed.

Finally, the new all abilities access ramp to the front entrance and new stairs to side and rear entries and a new paint job will see the hall back to its former glory.

The work also included lifting and levelling the hall which has survived many floods since it was first built in 1884.

“The project has gone well considering the hall was so far out of level. Only a couple of floor tiles cracked, and a couple of windowpanes broke as the building was levelled.”

The next stage includes installing the joist and floorboards and finally the new all abilities access ramp.

The new footings under the piers holding up the building are 1500mm deep due to the reactionary soil type – 10 times deeper than the original 150mm deep footings and required 13 cubic metres of concrete.

“The work will ensure that the building will last another 100 years without issue,” Cr Truscott said.

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said Council received almost $300,000 through the Queensland Government’s successful COVID Works for Queensland program to upgrade five halls in the region.

“The Works for Queensland program provides funding for much needed infrastructure projects that will create jobs and make a big difference to regional communities,” Mr Saunders said.

“Halls like Tinana are important pieces of community and social infrastructure.  

“This face lift is great news for Maryborough and for our region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Council invested $963,000, which included almost $300,000 grant from the State Government’s COVID Works for Queensland Program in facelifts for five regional halls.

“Maintaining the network of halls across the region is very important,” Cr Truscott said.

“They are community hubs; places where residents get together to socialise and host community activities such as playgroups, dance, fitness, wellbeing, and music classes, as well as balls, school musicals, expos or craft stalls, 21st birthdays, engagement parties and weddings.”

The Tinana project included replacement of all floorboards, joists, bearers and stumps, refurbishment of male and female amenities; upgrades to disability access with the addition of a unisex disability compliant toilet and access ramp; full internal repaint.