Jandowae Timbertown Festival will deliver a brand-new six-meter-tall tourist attraction for the town after being selected by Council to deliver a new placemaking initiative.
In late 2020, Council invited the region's five major festival committees to submit an expression of interest in response to the new festival placemaking initiative which would see the successful applicant receive $30,000 to go towards a longstanding, promotional art piece to celebrate local events.
Spokesperson for Tourism, Events and Regional Promotion Councillor Kylie Bourne said she was thrilled to progress this initiative which would strengthen the exposure of the Jandowae Timbertown Festival all year round.
"The Jandowae Timbertown Festival is an iconic event not only for Jandowae, but the whole Western Downs region and it is exciting that we can provide their committee with additional support through this new initiative," Cr Bourne said.
"Thanks to this funding opportunity, the committee will deliver a large, light up 'Timbertown Tree' sculpture and bench seat which will reflect the distinct theme of the festival branding.
"Not only will the sculpture act as a promotional tool for the biennial event, but it will also celebrate the town's prominent timber-milling history, a significant point in time for the area and residents.
"The project will also offer a source of pride in the commu
nity because it celebrates the people that make it, and will encourage travellers to stay a little longer in the town.
"Initiatives like these helps achieve our region's active, vibrant communities and great liveability and I look forward to seeing this project progress and deliver benefits to Jandowae's community and the cultural capacity of the Western Downs."
Jandowae Timbertown Festival inc. Secretary Sarah Heathwood said the committee was thrilled to receive the news that their application was successful and can't wait to see their vision come to life.
"Jandowae is a very community-minded town; our committee is always looking for ways to help out. When this new funding initiative was announced, we saw it as a great tourism incentive which if successful, would bring people to our town and encourage them to look around and support local businesses," Ms Heathwood said.
"The concept behind the giant Timbertown Trees was to use the well
-known tree in our logo and light it up in a prime position at Central Park on High Street, creating
a tourist attraction for our region and a photo opportunity for visitors, both of which will help gain exposure of the festival all year round.
"The committee is grateful to Council for granting us this funding and therefore allowing us to deliver this new attraction which will not only promote the festival but entice people to come and see our town and all the things that make it great."
Works are expected to be completed by June 2021.
