Queensland RSL reneges on deal

State branch walks away from Soldiers Memorial Hall reno

THE Queensland branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia has walked away from a $250,000 commitment to help fund the restoration of the heritage-listed Toowoomba Soldiers Memorial Hall.

The “in-principle” agreement between the Queensland RSL, Toowoomba United RSL Sub Branch, and Toowoomba Regional Council in April 2014, according to previous reporting by The Chronicle.

It is estimated the building would cost somewhere in the order of $3.5 million to properly restore.

In a statement to The Chronicle, RSL Queensland president Tony Ferris said the organisation existed to provide well-being and welfare assistance to the Defence community in Queensland.

“The Toowoomba Soldiers Memorial Hall is a Council asset. Any maintenance or refurbishment works are therefore council’s responsibility,” he said.

Specific questions from The Chronicle to Mr Ferris about what had happened to the inprinciple agreement to refurbish the Soldiers Memorial Hall went unanswered.

Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio said it was a “disappointing” situation.

“There is a board minute from 2014, I understand, suggesting they would assist us to the tune of $250,000 to do what we needed to do (to the building),” Cr Antonio said.

“In saying all that, we have spent some $545,000 on fixing the roof and other things, electrical upgrades, and $90,000 of that came from RSL Queensland so they in fact did make a commitment at that point in time to help us.

“We had an understanding we were on a journey together but obviously we are not.”

Cr Antonio said the council was looking for external support to restore the ageing building, and had recently raised the issue with Minister for Veterans Affairs Darren Chester.

A report on the state of the building is currently being prepared.