Ipswich residents are invited to have their say on the future of the Old Tallegalla School in the city’s west.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the school has been closed since 1992, with Ipswich City Council responsible for maintaining the property since 1998 when it was granted trusteeship by the Queensland Government.
“The Old Tallegalla School was established in 1879 and for about 115 years, it was both an educational institution and a central hub for local gatherings and it is a snapshot of Ipswich’s cultural heritage that needs to be preserved,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council is currently considering the potential future use of the land and restoration of the buildings and we are asking the community to have their say on how we move forward. After decades of use, the facilities need rehabilitation to ensure they meet existing standards and maintenance obligations.
“It has been determined it will cost about $120,000 to restore the buildings, with an extra $180,000 required for maintenance over the next 10 years. If council has trusteeship of the land, public funds will be required to complete the refurbishment and ongoing maintenance.
“We are now looking at two options: to surrender the land back to the Queensland Government for another organisation to take over the trusteeship, or to rehabilitate the buildings and facilities and enter into a lease with an organisation willing to take on the costs of maintaining the property.
“We want to hear from Ipswich residents so we can make a decision on the future of the Old Tallegalla School that is supported by our community.”
Finance and Governance Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said council takes seriously its commitment to preserving Ipswich’s history and heritage and will consider any views put forward by the public.
“Ipswich has a rich and wonderful history which should be recorded, preserved and celebrated,” Cr Tully said.
“However, we should also make sure we strike a balance between these principles and the costs involved with maintaining the property, especially when these aging buildings require refurbishment and ongoing maintenance works.”
Shape your Ipswich
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said the main school building is an example of Ipswich’s earliest colonial history and the growth of small bush communities in the 1800s.
“The school was established when the township previously known as Rosewood Scrub was being settled by mainly German migrants and comprised of little more than a rail station, post office, two churches, a hotel and cemetery,” Cr Madden said.
“The timber weatherboard-clad main building of the school was once used as a place of learning for the children of the townships to the west of Ipswich and is a great reminder of the way things were.
“But given the current state of the buildings, it must be considered whether another organisation is better placed to meet the restoration requirements of these buildings.”
Division 4 Councillor David Martin said council would carefully consider any views from members of the public.
“Council is a strong advocate for heritage protection, whether it be through initiatives such as the Ipswich Heritage Program or Picture Ipswich website, or our stunning recent restoration of the 115-year-old Hotel Commonwealth in the Nicholas Street Precinct,” Cr Martin said.
“Once community consultation is complete, council will assess the feedback the community submits and provide updates on the next steps.”
For more information, visit the Shape Your Ipswich webpage for Old Tallegalla School.
Residents can have their say via the Shape Your Ipswich website, emailing [email protected] or calling 07 3810 6666.
People can also download a hard copy survey here and mail it to PO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305 or drop it to 1 Nicholas St, Ipswich, or Rosewood Library.
Council will also hold two community engagement events for Old Tallegalla School at 9am on February 7 and February 14 at Rosewood Library.
