New $722k Scout facility the latest investment getting kids outdoors

Published 28 October 2020

Council is keeping pace with the surging popularity of Scouting in Moreton Bay, today awarding the construction contract for a brand new $722,000 facility in Murrumba Downs.

It follows a $760,000 commitment to demolish and build a brand-new Scout facility in Clontarf next year, and the recent completion of a new $385,000 Scout facility in Deception Bay.  

Mayor Flannery said the pandemic had reminded everyone of the importance of outdoor recreation to our mental and physical wellbeing, recommending Scouts as one of the best ways to explore the great outdoors.

“A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room according to the founder of Scouting Robert Baden-Powell and I have to agree,” said Mayor Flannery.

“As a former Australian Army soldier, I see the similarities in the values these young scouts will learn here to set them up for life and I encourage local families to get involved.

“The scout’s motto is ‘Be Prepared’ and we want them to be prepared for a post-pandemic booming in popularity by building this incredible facility.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council has contributed nearly $500,000 in partnership with the Federal Government to make this $722,000 project a reality for the Kallangur Scout Group.

Federal Member for Dickson Peter Dutton said the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund was set up to support regions and communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus crisis.

“The Morrison Government has committed $234,000 in COVID-19 funding towards this local project as both a jobs-generator and an investment in giving families in Murrumba Downs and Kallangur a greater range of recreation opportunities,” he said.

“Scouts are a great contributor to our community by building resilient young leaders for the future and this is just a small way we can help them continue their important work.”

Deputy Mayor Cr Denise Sims (Div 7) said the new facility would be a fit for purpose and be able to welcome children from across the region.

“Scouts have this incredible ability to help children embrace adventure by providing a place for them to discover, learn, play and imagine,” she said.

“It has been quite a journey for the group moving several times but now I am pleased to say the Kallangur Scout Group will have a permanent home here in Murrumba Downs.”

Scouts Queensland Acting Chief Commissioner Jean Clifford OAM said there was an increase in popularity for the youth development activity.

“Scouts Queensland is booming with an increase in new members of 85% last month compared to the same period last year,” she said.

“The support of the Federal Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council in providing a purpose-built place to meet ensures we can continue to deliver a fun, adventurous, challenging and inclusive program for young people across the region to help build resilience in the community.”

The design process is set to commence in November 2020 and construction to conclude by mid-2021, weather depending.