TWO Heritage grants have helped to brighten the outer look of the Marburg Hotel and set a plan for future restoration projects.
Hotel owner and operator, Dan Bowden secured a $15,000 grant to develop a Conservation Management Plan and a $40,000 grant to paint the outside of the building.
The grants came through the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action program.
In reflecting on the projects which were funded through the program, Dan Bowden said he was very grateful as the grants “make a big difference and assist in being able to complete projects that can cost a lot of money”.
“The Conservation Management Plan is a Master Plan that will enable us to perform works on the hotel, including renovations and add ons that may be needed,” he said.
“This allows us to still be competitive with other businesses in the area, instead of being restricted in the building and construction areas.
“This plan will formalise things and it will enable us to keep the hotel up to the times while following the Heritage Act, the building codes and following all standards.
“Our family has been discussing possible changes in the internal area of the hotel such as improvements to the lady’s toilet area.
“We are also looking at options to utilise the space that we have inside the hotel in a better way, with improvements to the kitchen area and we are looking at ways we can move the sittings area to a warmer space in the hotel.
“There is also consideration going into an outdoor drive through area, where families can pick up meals without having to leave the comfort of their car.”
He said the Bowden family had a goal of delivering a country style hotel to the community with heritage charm without the addition of gaming machines and they want to continue this goal for many years to come.
“Marburg has a great style about it and families travel to the area because they are interested in the history and also because of the country atmosphere,” he said.
“With any restoration that will take place, the style will always be kept to the building’s heritage and history.
“Throughout the entire painting process, all involved endeavoured to keep the new colours as close to the original colours that were used in the 1800s.
“I recall the colours of the paint in the 1960s and what we have now is very similar.
“It creates a talking point and it keeps the hotel looking fresh.
“We are forever grateful for this assistance and look forward to sharing it with the community and with visitors to Marburg.”
