Gympie Council has awarded highly regarded construction company Hutchinson Builders the $18.5 million contract to refurbish the Gympie Civic Centre.
Built in 1977, the Civic Centre is Gympie’s primary performing arts centre but has languished unused since the 2022 floods and a major mould problem.
The town’s growing arts community have expressed frustration at the time taken to re-open the only large arts venue in Gympie.
IMAGE supplied by Gympie Regional Council
Council says it’s taken this long because the mould damage and building deterioration required specialist assessment, testing and remediation planning.
‘Independent structural, electrical and compliance investigations were needed to understand the full extent of required works. Design, costing and engineering work was more complex than originally anticipated due to the age of the building and changes in building codes,’ said council.
The project includes building remediation, mould treatment, upgraded finishes, improvements to the auditorium, accessibility, safety and public areas and infrastructure modernisation to meet current building standards and theatre specifications.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said despite setbacks, council was forging ahead and working with a community reference group to deliver a great facility for Gympie.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig IMAGE: Vivienne Wynter
‘Due to the age of the Civic Centre and notwithstanding the presence of mould, the electrical infrastructure and disability compliance requirements must be upgraded to meet today’s standards. These essential upgrades represent approximately 50 per cent of the total associated costs,’ Mayor Hartwig said.
‘Council is establishing a Precinct Reference Group (PRG) to enable community stakeholders to help shape the revitalisation project and future operations.
Valued community asset
‘Now we can move forward with confidence and clear understanding of what is needed to bring this valued community asset back to life.’
Gympie arts identity, Cindy Vogels, welcomed the appointment of Hutchinson Builders, who have a reputation for building arts venues in Queensland.
Hutchinson Builders developed The Fortitude Valley Music Hall in 2019. ‘The Fort’ was named Metro Venue of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards 2025.
IMAGE of Fortitude Music Hall supplied by Hutchinson Builders
‘Hutchinson Builders securing the refurbishment tender for the Gympie Civic Centre is an incredibly exciting development for our region,’ Ms Vogels said.
Cindy Vogels IMAGE by Jody Haines
‘Scott Hutchinson’s long-standing commitment to live, original music in South East Queensland is well known and his advocacy has shaped some of the most vibrant cultural venues in the state.
‘To have a company with such a deep, proven belief in the value of creative communities leading this project gives our local artists, musicians and audiences, enormous confidence.
‘It signals the renewed Civic Centre won’t just be a building upgrade: it will be a purposeful cultural investment, one that places live performance, community storytelling and contemporary arts at the heart of Gympie’s future.’
Apply to reference group
Mayor Hartwig called on Gympie residents to submit an EOI to participate in the Precinct Reference Group.
‘This reference group is made up of community representatives from a broad range of sectors including business, arts and culture, emergency services, First Nations and senior citizens, he said.
‘We are also seeking expressions of interest for a further five representatives to join us and I encourage interested residents to apply: ideally, locals with experience or skills in performing arts, events, hospitality, tourism, or venue operations.
Work starts in New Year
Work on the Civic Centre is expected to start in early 2026, with an opening planned for late 2027 (weather and site conditions permitting).
Expressions of Interest to the PRG are due by Tuesday 27 January 2026. To submit an EOI for the PRG and for more information about the project visit: Gympie Civic Centre Revitalisation | Your Say Gympie Region
Image of Gympie Civic Centre at top of story supplied by Gympie Regional Council
