Work has finally started on Logan City’s Kingston Butter Factory (KBF) entrance redevelopment, with the $16.1 million project being announced over a year ago, and initial work beginning in July this year.
Council is redeveloping the KBF Precinct and its grounds into a vibrant cultural heritage and performing arts hub in the heart of Logan City.
The interior of the iconic Kingston Butter Factory building is also being re-imagined.
Dairying was one of the major industries in Logan in the early 1900s. The original butter factory was a timber structure built in 1907.
It was reclad in brick and modernised in 1932. During the 1930s, the factory was producing 40–50 tons of butter each week.
The dairy company Peters took over the factory in 1958. During the 1950s, the factory also produced milk, cottage cheese and baker’s cheese. The factory closed in 1983.
Logan City Council then took over the factory. In 1988 it became a community centre as a Bicentennial project and was home to the Logan Historical Museum and Kingston Butter Factory Arts and Craft Co-op.
Logan City Mayor Darren Power said the venue, when finished in 2021, would be a significant addition to South-East Queensland’s tourism infrastructure.
Kingston Butter Factory Redevelopment – Logan City Council
“Having such a large outdoor space that can attract major events and festivals will bring massive economic benefits to Logan,” Cr Power said.
“It will be a space the whole community can enjoy, where they can access world-class arts, culture, festivals and events.”
City lifestyle committee chairperson, Councillor Laurie Koranski said community feedback had endorsed Council’s decision to redevelop the building into a cultural heritage and performing arts hub.
“Results of a community survey in November last year overwhelmingly supported Council’s proposal for KBF,” Cr Koranski said.
“The KBF Cultural Precinct will be a place where people will come together in ways that connect, entertain and inspire.”
Cr Power welcomed recent funding of $6.57 million from the state government’s COVID Works Queensland program towards the project.
“Infrastructure and jobs are critical for the community and our city in these challenging times,” he said.
“This is a great example of state and local government working together to deliver important social infrastructure for the community while creating jobs.
Kingston Butter Factory Redevelopment – Logan City Council
“We want to come out of this pandemic stronger than ever, and the best way to do that is to work together.”
Cr Power said Council would have the opportunity to redirect part of its original budget allocation of $12 million into other areas to be determined by Council.
The Member for Waterford, Shannon Fentiman, said once completed the KBF Precinct would feature the city’s largest outdoor events space, with a purpose-built stage and room for audiences of up to 5000.
“The whole space is being transformed – it will feature a blackbox-style theatre, rehearsal space and a living museum to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Logan, a community that I’m so proud to be a part of,” she said.
“This project is going to be a game-changer for local artists and I’m excited to see it transform into an arts and entertainment hub for the Logan community.”
The project will be delivered by Box & Co builders and work is expected to be completed by February next year.
