Sod turned signals a new beginning for Clifton Museum

The first sods have been turned by Toowoomba Regional Council(TRC) to signal a new beginning for the Clifton Museum. Taddio Building Group, a local business, will begin construction of the new museum, with completion expected in late June 2020, weather permitting.

TRC Environment and Community Committee Chair Councillor Geoff McDonald said he was thrilled to see the project progressing to the construction stage.

“The Clifton Historical Museum is an important part of, not only Clifton’s but Toowoomba Region’s history,” Cr McDonald said.

“In late 2016 the main museum building was deemed to be unsafe to occupy and was closed on the advice provided of structural engineers.

“Following the closure, Council worked with experts to plan how to remove and store the artefacts before demolition safely.

“We then undertook extensive consultation with the community and investigated several options for the replacement of the museum.

“Following consultation with representatives from the Clifton Historical Museum, plans were completed for a new building with a local business awarded the construction tender.

“The new building features a ‘barn style’ design with a few elements such as exposed columns and downpipes on the street side representing the features of the original museum.

“High polycarbonate windows reflect the north-facing windows of the old sawtooth roof and awnings over the entrances will be a reminder of the old loading dock.

“Sections of structural timber and ornamental rainwater fixtures have also been preserved to form part of the museum’s collection.

“Council acknowledges the important role community facilities such as museums play throughout the Region, so it’s great to see work beginning on this significant facility,” Cr McDonald said.

“While we progress this project, we’ll continue to meet with the Clifton Museum group to finalise the future operating model for the museum.”

Toowoomba Regional Council, in conjunction with the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Drought Communities Programme – Extension Grant, have proudly funded the replacement of the Clifton Historical Museum.

For more information about the construction of the new Clifton Museum, please contact Council on 131 872 and quote ‘Clifton Museum’.

Caption: June King (Clifton Historical Society), Cr Geoff McDonald, Cr Joe Ramia, Cr Chris Tait and Cr Anne Glasheen turning the first sod on the construction of the new Clifton Museum building