Glass House Mountains' Bankfoot House works to preserve history and enhance visitor experience

Sunshine Coast Council has unanimously endorsed a report outlining proposed capital works to deliver improved archival, visitor and interpretive elements for the council-owned State heritage-listed Bankfoot House. The project will now be referred to council’s 2013/14 budget process for consideration as part of the Heritage Levy expenditure.

Division 1 Councillor Rick Baberowski said Bankfoot House is the oldest known surviving building in the Glass House Mountains area and documents the history of three generations occupying the same house for more than 130 years.

“As an iconic State heritage-listed place housing a significant collection, Bankfoot House provides the opportunity to preserve and interpret history and stories while providing community access”, he said.

“The proposed capital works takes the region in the right direction in terms of industry and professional heritage collections management. 

“This is our opportunity to become a cultural tourism destination of interest to ourselves and our guests from abroad.

“The new facilities will provide an enhanced visitor experience highlighting the value of our heritage, so that years from now, the region will still have an asset that tells future generations how far we have come, socially, economically and culturally.

“This gives everyone in the region an asset of State significance and we have a responsibility to our community to preserve our heritage and social history.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Friends of Bankfoot House who currently undertake the significant work of preserving and making the collection accessible to the public.”

Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said conserving Bankfoot House is in line with council’s commitment of preserving our region’s history and ensuring the character of our community is protected.

“The Bankfoot House Capital Works Report provides an overview of the second stage works in line with the Bankfoot House Management Plan adopted by council in 2006,” she said.

“Funds for the new facility have been progressively identified within the Cultural Heritage Levy since
it was introduced in 2010/2011.

“The proposed works will provide archival storage for the rare collection, work space for the volunteers, multimedia educational interpretive centre, public amenities, a bus drop-off area and wheelchair access to the new purpose-built facility.

“Council will continue to consult with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection to ensure we protect this significant regional and State heritage-listed asset.”