Scarness rotunda added to Local Heritage Register

A much-loved Hervey Bay landmark has been formally recognised for its historical and cultural importance, with Fraser Coast Regional Council today resolving to add the Scarness Band Rotunda to the Local Heritage Register.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the decision acknowledges the community’s enduring connection to the rotunda and its role in shaping the region’s identity.

“The Scarness Band Rotunda has stood at the heart of our foreshore for nearly a century and is now officially recognised as a place of local heritage significance,” he said.

“Built in 1926, it’s a rare surviving example of the pre-war seaside tourism era - a time when Scarness came alive with concerts, community events and beachside recreation.

“This listing not only celebrates the structure’s past. It also ensures its significance continues to be recognised into the future.”

The heritage listing follows community consultation, independent expert assessment, and recent Council-led renovations to repair timber rot, restore elements of the rotunda’s earlier form, and improve public safety and usability.

“The rotunda has been carefully repaired and repainted to reflect its original character, including the removal of later additions like slatted balustrades,” Cr Seymour said.

“The work has improved the condition of the structure while still allowing the community to enjoy and connect with this historic site.”

The rotunda has been relocated multiple times within the Scarness foreshore over its life, and its current location is between the Scarness Caravan Park and Enzo’s café.

The listing applies to the structure itself, not the surrounding parkland, and future relocation within the Esplanade precinct remains possible if needed.

The rotunda’s heritage listing acknowledges its:

• importance in demonstrating the evolution of Hervey Bay’s tourism history;
• rarity as a surviving pre-World War II foreshore structure;
• distinctive architectural features; and
• long-standing ties to the local community, including local bands and fundraising committees.