RHPA Projects
Background as we know it: The River Heads Progress Association was incorporated in 1994. A group of residents, led by Cliff Callaghan, who used to meet at the Pink Shop (the only shop in River Heads at the time) approached Council for a community hall.
These founding members are remembered on the honour board in the hall. It took some time, but the community hall was finally built in 2002. RHPA members at the time fundraised to furnish the hall by running raffles etc.
However, in 2009 the Management Committee dissolved due to various reasons. This meant, without RHPA to run the hall the lease would be returned to Council. One lady decided to do something about this and approached a group of ladies, some new to the area, to attend a morning tea. The result of this morning tea was that a full management committee was formed. It consisted of all women except the Bar Coordinator who was volunteered by his wife!
The composition of the Management Committee has inevitably changed over time but has always been comprised of good people prepared to work hard for this community and will continue to do so. Listed below are some of the projects and achievements:
- Extension to Covered Deck Area @ Hall – This was the first project of the new committee. RHPA obtained a grant of $16,000 in 2009 to complete and weatherproof the deck and to upgrade the tables and chairs inside the hall.
- Upgrade on road to River Heads Ramp – RHPA lobbied Council consistently for an upgrade to what was basically a track leading to the ramp in 2009. When Cr Darren Everard was elected to Council in 2012, he lobbied on our behalf for the ramp road upgrade. This eventually happened with further upgrades to the footpath and parking areas as well.
- Pontoon @ Ramp – Both the RHPA and the Fishing Club lobbied continuously for a pontoon at the ramp. Many hours were spent preparing submissions to Council and State Govt on this issue. The answer was always the same – too many currents to consider the proposal. Again, Cr Everard took up the challenge on our behalf and met with officers from the State Govt. These persistent negotiations were eventually successful and suddenly the currents were no longer a problem, and the pontoon became a reality. Again, thank you Darren.
- River Heads Road Upgrade – The main road was in dire need of an upgrade. It was narrow and dangerous. RHPA approached Council many times with suggestions for improvements to the road such as a pedestrian crossing near the shops, reduced speed limits, better signage etc. Again, Cr Everard took up the challenge and lobbied on our behalf. The work was eventually completed with minimal disturbance to local residents.
- Marina @ River Heads – RHPA spent many hours preparing a 40-page submission to State Government and many other stakeholders in 2017. The site down behind the shopping village was first approved in 1986. On 4 October, 2005 a meeting took place between the then Hervey Bay City Council and relevant State agencies. It was noted at this meeting that ‘Hervey Bay City Council was supportive of a marina development in the Mary River Heads locality’. In the Hervey Bay City Council Strategic Framework at that time, it was noted that ‘the potential exists for River Heads to accommodate some form of marine related development because of its strategic location at the mouth of the Mary River, and the potential for a deep-water anchorage [and] will be supported subject to relevant approvals’. However, on 22 May, 2009 the Fish Habitat boundaries were re-declared to cadastral boundaries, thereby including the parcel of state land on which the marina development was proposed within the Fish Habitat boundaries. It is unclear whether this was a simple mistake or whether the said parcel of land was deliberately included in the FHA. This has effectively put a temporary stop to the project, but we are still hopeful Governments will realise the potential of this project and get behind it, given the growing number of boats moored in the Susan River. RHPA will continue to lobby.
- Walking Tracks @ River Heads – This project proposal consisted of 4 stages. Stage 1 was the creation of a 2km return walking track from the western ramp, along the Susan River to the shopping village. RHPA secured grant funding for Stage 1 and provided the funding to Council who undertook the construction after RHPA members had walked the initial proposed track through thick bush (the intrepid explorers were Joan Taylor, Simon Paterson, Alan Baxter, Fay Schoermer, Margaret Reynolds and Billie Rustin) which then allowed council to survey the proposed track. Stage 2 proposed a further track heading north from the shops to the gazetted Carrington Street West, then across River Heads Road down to Carrington Street East. RHPA raised another $20,000 for this stage but Council used it to enhance Stage 1 and we were not happy about this. The 3rd stage proposed a walking trail from Carrington Street East, along Cecily Terrace, Ferris Avenue and Fraser Drive, across Kingfisher Park, along Kingfisher Drive then along the foreshore to the River Heads Reserve. The 4th stage proposed was from Carrington Street East, south along the foreshore to the eastern ramp. For some reason, Council could not see its way clear to support other than Stage 1 despite the need for healthy exercise suitable for all age-groups enhancing both physical and mental wellbeing. We will keep trying. Maybe Cr Everard will go into bat for us on this one too!
- River Heads Reserve Project – two RHPA members in the early days were responsible for bringing some order to this beautiful area of today which was then quite overgrown – Neville Watson and Bryan Bastin – thank you. Acknowledging the work these two gentlemen were doing using their own ride-on mowers, RHPA negotiated with Council to secure the loan of a tractor/mower to make this task easier. A grant was then obtained by RHPA to build a full-size playing oval and cricket pitch, all done with volunteer labour, and maintained by Tony Franklin on the tractor (thank you Tony). A Council funded Community Participation Group was formed jointly with RHPA to install and maintain the gardens and plantings. RHPA lobbied Council who then installed a toilet. RHPA then obtained a further grant to build the children’s playground at the Reserve. The grant was handed over to Council to do the build to ensure all issues regarding compliance/safety were adhered to. Council also installed some exercise equipment. However, there were no walking tracks for people to utilise the entire park area. RHPA secured two more grants to build the walking tracks east then north to the paperbark area and to build a shed for canteen purposes. The shed was unlined and had no facilities inside. A further grant was obtained to line the shed, install solar power due to lack of available power, benchtops, appliances and so forth. All of this is still being done by volunteer labour – thank you to Nev Watson, Mark Hensel and Nick Burgess for their skill and effort in bringing this to completion. Our understanding was that in accordance with the Master Concept Plan a picnic area would be installed by Council in the paperbark grove. To date, this has not happened but we will continue to lobby Council both for the picnic area and continuation of the paths.
- River Heads Fishing Club – This sub-committee of RHPA was formed in about 2009 – it’s mantra was ‘fun, family and fishing’. RHPA secured a grant to build the fishing club shed in the hall grounds after Council approval was obtained. The grant also paid for a trailer. The Fishing Club incorporated a few years ago as a separate legal entity running its own affairs but retaining unrestricted access to the shed and trailer purchased before incorporation. It is now an affiliated association of RHPA.
- Screen & Projector – RHPA secured a small grant to fund the screen and projector which has constant use at the hall making it possible for all at the Friday night bistro to enjoy viewing Peter Dore’s fantastic photographs, not to mention being able to watch the big race on the big screen at the Melbourne Cup Luncheon. This facility is also available for people hiring the hall.
- Community Garden Project – RHPA approached Council to develop a Community Garden adjacent to the hall. Council agreed and RHPA secured a grant for this work. The project was under the stewardship of Neville Watson who did a great job making the project a reality.
- Community Garden Gazebo – With the community garden completed RHPA then recognised the need for an area where people could sit in the shade and enjoy both the garden and the wonderful view across the Sandy Strait to K’gari. Another grant was obtained for the gazebo construction materials. Two RHPA members, Mike Taylor (a licensed builder) and his wife Joan offered to build the gazebo on a volunteer basis.
- Library Extension to Community Hall – RHPA’s Life Member, Phyllis Jacobsen, an avid reader herself first recognised the need for a community library back in about 2005. She set about cataloguing the donated books but did not get support from the Committee of the time due to its dissolution. This project lay dormant for several years until RHPA new committee pursued the project. Trouble was, there was insufficient space as the library grew. Another grant was obtained to extend the library area to the west. Council approval was obtained, and Mike and Joan Taylor once again donated their time and expertise to undertake the work. The area is now not only used as a library extension but also as a meeting room and a radio transmission area. Our Librarian, Keran Smee does a great job keeping the area well stocked.
- Community Radio Project – In about 2017 RHPA was approached by a volunteer to form a radio sub-committee. RHPA agreed and a Sub-Committee was formed under the guidance of Roger Wilson initially, then currently by Alan Baxter. The sub-committee obtained its own grant funding under the RHPA banner and gradually increased its equipment and broadcast area operating under what is known as a narrowcasters licence. Thank you to Alan, Barry, Ed and John.
- Skatepark Project – RHPA identified very early the need for some kids’ activities in the area due to relative isolation and no public transport. Council gave approval and a grant for the skatepark was obtained from the Community Gambling Fund. Most of the grant was given to Council for installation of the equipment with some funds being kept aside to pay for the concrete slab. A professional concreter undertook the work with many local men contributing their time and expertise to assist him. The skatepark has been a source of great use and great joy for the kids. Thank you to all involved.
- Kitchen Refurbishment Project – RHPA obtained a grant of $15,000 to upgrade the aging facilities in the kitchen. Two new fryers, a new oven, bain marie, salamander and char grill were purchased under the guidance of Food & Beverage Manager, Margaret Reynolds and her volunteer crew. Thank you for a job continuing to be well done.
- Upgrade to Bar Area Project – grant funding was secured by RHPA to purchase a glasswasher, ice machine and fridge. Overhead wine glass racks and lighting was later installed by Mark Hensel. The front of the bar counter was upgraded by Huxley Althaus.
- RiverFest Project – RHPA held its first RiverFest in September, 2012. The aim was to highlight the beauty of the River Heads Peninsula and the talents of its people. It is a celebration of our waterways, ecology and people. It was, and still is, a tremendous undertaking for a small not-for-profit organisation such as RHPA totally reliant on its volunteers for success. RHPA volunteers have never let us down and a huge thank you goes out to them. Grants are obtained each year from Hervey Bay RSL (who also have naming rights), local politicians, Council, Bidfood, Kingfisher and other smaller local businesses – a huge thank you to all.
- Extension to Ablutions @ Community Hall – RHPA approached Council for approval to extend the ablutions area, given that the hall is a designated emergency centre and there was only one toilet. The extension included moving a wall between the then utility room and kitchenette; dismantling the existing utility room and chemicals cupboard; installing 2 new toilet cubicles; installing a shower in the existing disabled toilet area and installing a new cleaner’s cupboard. Council agreed and secured some Government funding from the State Emergency Department to undertake the work. RHPA negotiated with Council to allow us to jointly project manage the build given our qualified project management person on committee. These negotiations included agreement to allow RHPA to use qualified local tradespeople and/or RHPA members where possible. The project proceeded without a hitch and was completed in a very quick timeframe. A huge thank you to all our local tradies for a job well done.
- Solar Power Project – This project became a necessity given the escalating costs of electricity. A grant was applied for but was unsuccessful. Some time elapsed and another grant was applied for from RACQ Foundation which was successful and the 32kw system was installed by Sunjuice, Hervey Bay. This has reduced the hall power costs significantly.
- Hall Air-conditioning Project – This has been a long-term project of RHPA but the spiralling costs of power meant we could not sustain installing it and paying the increased electricity bills. With solar power installed, our next step was the air-conditioning. A grant was obtained and local man, Trevor Tomkins, from Wide Bay Aircon & Refrigeration was approached and organised a quote which we accepted. Three split system aircons were installed on separate controls with the outside units being discreetly placed under the hall.
- Ariadne Replica @ River Heads Project – a few years ago RHPA was approached by Council to see whether we would like the steamship Ariadne replica (currently positioned in Dayman Park in the Bay) re-positioned to the community hall parklands. We readily agreed to this but despite repeated enquiries have not had any action from Council. It maybe they have changed their mind but given the significance of the SS Ariadne to the area (main street of River Heads named after it), it would certainly be appropriate for the area. We are continuing to follow up.
- Re-positioning of Memorial Stone & Flagpole Project – a proposal was put to Council by RHPA to re-position the Memorial Stone and raise it on a plinth due to its crowded positioning near BBQ area. We also requested that the children’s playground be moved further south and that the area vacated by the playground be paved or turfed and the shades left in place as well as the old basketball hoop being removed. As luck would have it, the upgrade to the parklands was in the Council budget anyway. This work was undertaken by Council’s Parks Team under the stewardship of Bruce Briske. Thank you to all.
- Tidal Swimming Pool Project – RHPA prepared a project proposal to Council earlier this year for the installation of a tidal, netted swimming enclosure for both kids and adults at River Heads. Council looked only at the ramp area as the possible site and the old story came back like that of the pontoon – too many currents!! We do not believe this is the case and will be pursuing the project further.
- Formation of River Heads Action Group – This group was formed in about 2017 as a sub-committee of RHPA after a development proposal had been lodged to develop the parcel of land at Turtle Cove previously mooted as a golf course. The group and RHPA considered the proposal was detrimental to the ecology and aesthetics of the area. The group very actively lobbied all 3 levels of Government with the Federal Government finally rejecting the development in 2020 on environmental grounds. A further proposal has now been lodged. Thank you to Malcolm Herbert, Peter Dore and all on the sub-committee for a job painstakingly done.
All up just over $1M has been raised and this has been channelled into the above community projects.
