Old Credit Union to become Multi-Purpose Community Space

Have you noticed some construction work going on at the Old Tieri Credit Union Shop and wondered what’s happening? We caught up with Kate French, Environment & Community Advisor at OCC to find out!

Spill the beans Kate, what’s occurring?

We are currently in the process of converting the Old Tieri Credit Union Shop at the Tieri Shopping Centre into a multipurpose, multi-user community space!

Exciting! For those that don’t know, where is it located?

It’s the Old Tieri Queensland Country Credit Union building at the Tieri Town Shopping Centre – between Tieri Post Office and Tieri Bar & Grill.

What has been in the building since the Credit Union closed down?

It’s been unused by any business for many years and just used as a storage space by Town Services for excess furniture, etc.

Who decided to turn it into a community space?

Following feedback from the Tieri community that it would be great to see the space better utilised, the E&C team decided to convert it into a multipurpose space.

What’s the objective of the new space?

We want to provide a blank canvas for OCC and the local community to benefit from. A space at a key location in the town to hold events and activities that bring our community together.

How do you hope the new space will benefit the Tieri community?

It’s a fresh, clean, air conditioned and centrally-located space for community groups to meet and engage in a range of activities. The idea is that it won’t be locked in to any one particular use. It will be available for short-term hire to different groups and for different uses. Nothing like that exists in town at the moment.

Can you give some examples of how the community can use the space?

Anything for small to medium sized groups! Pop up events, pop up shops, youth events, art classes, community classes, static displays of art. In fact, we’re planning to use it during the Tieri 40^th Anniversary celebrations in August/September as a space to display memorabilia from the last four decades. No doubt once the space is completed and in use, more ideas will come forward. We hope to get feedback from the Tieri Community Reference Group (CRG) about their suggestions too.

When did the construction work begin?

January 2023.

What is being done to transform the space?

Renovations include new vinyl flooring, a new internal ceiling, and a partition wall. We’re installing data and power points and air conditioning, and giving it a fresh coat of paint in neutral colours to create a blank canvas for many uses. There is a small kitchenette with a sink at the rear of the space, which will be very handy. Public toilets, the children’s playground and a café are all located very close by.

Who is doing the work?

DBS QLD (existing local contractor).

When is work expected to be completed?

March/April 2023.

Can anyone use the space?

Yes, they just need to adhere to the Terms & Conditions that we’re currently developing.

What will it cost to hire?

This is still being determined, but we want to keep it as affordable as possible so it’s a viable option for the community.

If people would like to use the space, how can they reserve it?

We’re in the process of working out the best booking system. Once we’ve set everything up, we’ll be announcing it to the community on tieri.com.au, at Tieri CRG Meetings, on community notices and in future newsletters – so stay tuned!