Glen Innes Severn Council recently welcomed more than 300 visitors to the heritage-listed former Glen Innes Powerhouse on Saturday, 20 September, turning a day of community consultation into a celebration of local history.
“The Powerhouse holds a special place in the hearts of our community, and the Open Day was a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to connect with our town’s history while sharing their ideas for its future,” Mayor Margot Davis said.
The Powerhouse, a landmark that once powered Glen Innes, has long been part of the town’s identity. Despite the wet weather, families, history enthusiasts, and visitors from as far afield as Gympie, Inverell, and Tamworth came along to the Open Day and explored the building, participated in interactive displays, and contributed ideas for its future.
“One particularly touching moment saw a family recreate photographs taken at the Powerhouse decades ago, bridging generations and highlighting the site’s enduring significance,” Mayor Davis said.
The Open Day was part of a broader community engagement process following Council’s Extraordinary Meeting on 7 March, when it resolved to retain the rear portion of the property, including the sealed car park and the heritage-listed Powerhouse.
Council called on the community to take an active role in shaping the site’s future, encouraging residents to share ideas and get involved in deciding what the Powerhouse could become.
“We are thrilled with the level of community engagement and the ideas that have been shared. Allowing residents to explore the site in person and see its potential for themselves was crucial – it helped people envision what the Powerhouse could become, and this feedback will guide Council as we plan the next steps to preserve and re-energise this iconic landmark for generations to come,” said Mayor Davis.
Council will now review all feedback received, with a full report on outcomes to be presented at the November Ordinary Meeting.
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