Heritage listing proposed for Scarness Band Rotunda
Fraser Coast Regional Council is proposing to list the historic Scarness Band Rotunda on the Local Heritage Register, recognising its cultural significance and long-standing role in the community.
Mayor George Seymour said the rotunda had been a fixture of the Scarness foreshore for nearly a century and holds an important place in the region’s history.
“Built in 1926, the Scarness Band Rotunda has been a focal point for entertainment, community gatherings, and celebrations for generations,” he said.
“From Sunday concerts and seaside speeches to sheltering beachgoers, this structure tells the story of Scarness as a popular tourist and holiday destination over the past 100 years.
“Council is now taking the first formal step in recognising this iconic landmark by proposing to include it on the Local Heritage Register, which acknowledges places of local historic, social and cultural importance.”
Mayor Seymour said the proposal aligns with current refurbishment works to restore the structure and ensure its safe use into the future.
“Repairs are underway to fix timber rot, replace the roof and repaint the rotunda, making it safe and accessible for the community once again,” he said.
“By proposing to list it as a heritage place, we’re also honouring its historic value and the strong connection many residents have to this much-loved site.”
An independent heritage assessment found the rotunda meets multiple criteria for listing, including its importance in demonstrating the evolution of seaside tourism in the region, its rarity as a surviving pre-war foreshore structure, and its long-standing community ties.
The proposed listing applies to the rotunda structure itself, not the surrounding parkland, and acknowledges that it has been relocated several times within the Scarness foreshore precinct.
Council will soon begin the public notification process required under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, which will allow residents to provide feedback before any final decision is made.