Lights shine on new possibilities for Nambour Tram terminus
Above from left: Greg Rogerson, Darren Shepherd and Peter Clark installed the lighting which will illuminate night time functions at the terminus in Mill Street.
by Janine Hill
A Sunshine Coast Council grant has shone a light, or rather, quite a few, on the Nambour tram headquarters.
A $15,000 council grant has been matched dollar for dollar by TramCo to fund external lighting and power at the tram terminus in Mill Street.
Ten four metre high stainless steel poles crowned with LED floodlights now shine down on backyard of the terminus.
A double 15 amp powerpoint has been fitted to each of the poles, which have been powdercoated black to match the terminus fencing.
Tramco chairman Greg Rogerson said the new lights meant no more time-consuming dragging out of cords and powerboards.
“We used to put fairy lights around but it would take us hours and hours to put them up and bring them in,” he said. “The main thing was to make it an area that’s a safe place and where people feel relaxed. It’s well lit and versatile.”
Tramco director Rhonda Billet said the terminus block was within the Nambour Special Entertainment Precinct and the board recognised its significance to the CBD.
“This is a space, complete with gardens and approximately 500sq m of lawn that we can utilise for events, markets, functions, live music and more,” Rhonda said.
Ten four metre high stainless steel poles crowned with LED floodlights now shine down on backyard of the terminus.
“The green space is right in the hub of the Nambour CBD, with a multi deck car park right next door and is also in the Nambour Transit zone.”
“Adding the new outdoor lighting not only allows us to run day time events, but now, with the added lighting installed, we can host twilight and evening events also as TramCo actively plays a part in seeking options to further activate the Nambour Special Entertainment Precinct.”
The lighting will be christened on Saturday, 2 December, when former Moreton Mill workers, cane farmers, and others gather for a reunion to mark the 20th anniversary of the mill’s closure.
Turning the lights on will be yet another box ticked for the Nambour tram project, which continues to make progress.
Greg said mechanical engineering of the tram had been completed by Stephen Braiden, of Covey Associates and sent to a Melbourne-based rail and rolling stock engineer for final sign-off.
The tram bogie will be built in Innisfail, the chassis will be built to 90 percent completion in Brisbane, and the superstructure will be built at Witta.
TramCo has liaised with the Office of the National Safety Regulator to ensure it meets standards.