Facilities to reopen tonight

Published on 15 May 2020

Outside Southside Library

Rockhampton Regional Council has today announced how facilities will be reopening once the Queensland Government restrictions ease at midnight tonight.

Playgrounds, BBQs, skate parks and fishing platforms will reopen fully with some libraries able to offer more services.

Sports, Parks and Public Spaces Portfolio Councillor Cherie Rutherford praised the efforts of parks and facilities staff who had been out across the region this week cleaning and spraying down playground equipment.

“The staff have been doing a fantastic job getting this equipment fresh and clean for the weekend and while they’re enjoying these facilities we are encouraging them to do that safely.

“It is really important for everyone to keep following the advice and rules, especially in light of today’s new case, please keep that social distance and keep the groups to smaller than 10 when using this equipment so that we’re still doing our bit to keep the community safe,” Cr Rutherford said.

Infrastructure Portfolio Councillor Tony Williams said there’d be a lot of families and recreational fishers looking forward to being able to put a line in the water again when platforms reopened.

“We have fishing platforms around the region in Koongal, Depot Hill, Park Avenue, West Rockhampton and Gracemere so there are plenty of options for people to spread out and enjoy some good fishing again.

“We expect there’ll be plenty of people looking to get out again so please be patient if there’s a few people sharing the platforms,” Cr Williams said.

Communities Portfolio Councillor Drew Wickerson said each of the region’s four libraries had been assessed on a case-by-case basis and different circumstances applied to each.

“At this stage Council has decided to offer a click and collect service called ‘Takeaway Library’ from the Southside and Mount Morgan libraries.  Like picking up your takeaway food, this service allows you to ‘order’ what you want to read or listen to, and library staff will select up to 20 items for you, tailored to your interests. When your items are ready, library staff will phone you to arrange a collection time. 

“You can register and place your holds online (remember to nominate your preferred pick up location) or, for those people who don’t have the internet or are having using trouble using click and collect, library staff will be ready to take your calls from 8.00am Monday morning on 4936 8043.

“However both the Northside Library and Gracemere Library will remain closed at this time,” Cr Wickerson said.

CEO Evan Pardon said Customer Service Centres will reopen from Tuesday with adjusted hours.

“Our Customer Service Centres in Rockhampton and Mount Morgan will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next week. However, the Gracemere Customer Service Centre will remain closed for the moment.

“There are a few other facilities that we’re not able to reopen at the moment despite the ease in restrictions.

“The Southside Pool, for example, will remain closed. It takes around up to two weeks to heat the pool and if we try and do it quicker, it could cost us an extra $50,000 on the power bill due to moving up to a higher tariff. Given only 10 people are allowed at a time, it just isn’t feasible to reopen it yet until we’re at Stage 3 and we can have gatherings of up to 100 people,” Mr Pardon said.

Reopening this weekend

  • Skate Parks;
  • Public BBQs;
  • Playgrounds; and
  • Fishing platforms;

Click and collect service resuming at

  • Southside Library
  • Mount Morgan Library

    Services which continue to be open

  • City Child Care Centre;
  • CQ Home Assist Service;
  • Waste Transfer Stations and Landfill;
  • Dog off-leash parks;
  • Public Toilets; and
  • Cemeteries

    By Appointment Only

  • Animal Management Centre; and
  • Development Advice Centre.

    Still temporarily closed

  • Pilbeam Theatre;
  • Rockhampton Art Gallery;
  • Heritage Village;
  • Schotia Place;
  • Northside Library;
  • Gracemere Library and Customer Service;
  • Rockhampton Zoo;
  • Public swimming pools;
  • Public Wet Play Areas; and
  • Kershaw Gardens camping area