The publicly-owned Boggo Road heritage prison was recently closed and is due to reopen soon. It is owned by the Queensland public and should be reopened as a thriving, not-for-profit heritage and arts community hub.

Back in 2011, then-premier Campbell Newman made a backroom deal to gift a small business interim management of the heritage prison, making it the ONLY major heritage prison in Australia that is NOT run under a not-for-profit model. This arrangement was never supposed to be permanent.

The results have been clear:

• Access prices are the most expensive of any heritage prison in the whole of Australia.
• The site is badly underused and stands empty most of the time.
• Community organisations have been locked out in the name of private profit.
• Site interpretation has been poor, with an emphasis on presenting it as a ‘haunted house’.

This is a significant heritage site with an important story to tell and Queensland can do so much better. The public own this building and it should be a major community asset.

We are now asking the public to sign this petition and tell the Queensland Government that it is time for a new vision for Boggo Road, one that will finally unlock its wasted potential and create a truly innovative, dynamic and unique Heritage and Arts Centre that will become one of Queensland’s most successful heritage treasures.

What would a Boggo Road Heritage and Arts Centre look like?

Boggo Road would finally open its doors to the community, welcoming visitors into its unique indoor and outdoor spaces to experience a variety of events and activities that connect with the themes of punishment, rehabilitation, redemption and reconciliation.

• Affordable access for all.
• Better utilisation of the space, opening it up to community history and arts organisations.
• Professional-standard historical interpretation, including a variety of respectful tours, digital experiences, museum displays, and quality educational programmes for children.
• Using this unique setting to host a dynamic programme of drama, music and fine arts events.
• Stimulating and thought-provoking seminars and debates about Boggo Road.
• Arts classes, workshops and workspaces.
• A Prison History Library and Research Centre.
• For the first time, there will be an emphasis on the Indigenous perspective.

There are professionals from the fields of History and the Arts ready and willing to work together with government to help make this happen.

So please Queensland Government, work with the community to create a brilliant Heritage and Arts Centre and unlock the potential of Boggo Road.