Historic Barcaldine pub to be transformed

A western Queensland council is working on a $1.2 million plan to convert a historic hotel in Barcaldine into a cultural complex and convention centre.

Barcaldine, east of Longreach, is known as the birthplace of the Labor Party and the heritage-listed Tree of Knowledge is a popular tourist attraction.

Now the local council is planning to renovate the town's historic Globe Hotel, built in 1910, but is no longer trading.

Mr Walsh says the Globe Hotel plan is to include an art gallery and visitors'
centre and eventually add a library, theatrette and function centre.

The council purchased the hotel in 2011.

Council spokesman Brett Walsh says it is hoping for support under the Federal Government's Regional Development Australia fund.

"We virtually have to reconstruct the whole building," he said.

"We've just recently lodged a full application for an amount of $500,000 and the council will have to match that with $600,000, for an overall project of about $1.2 million.

"Hopefully by Christmas 2014, the work would be completed."

Mr Walsh says the Council is working on a plan to eventually convert it into function centre, and include an art gallery and visitors' centre.

He says the council also wants to eventually to add a library and theatrette built on adjoining land next door.

"It is important that communities both retain their heritage, but are also building new infrastructure all the time because it just gives the community a sense of pride," he said.

The council is seeking $500,000 in federal funding, and will contribute $600,000 for stage one.

Source: ABC News, 10 April 2013