Bencke Park lights up thanks to European Christmas present

Published on 20 December 2017

It’s been a long time coming but after 20 years, an around the world journey, and some creative searching from Rockhampton Regional Council’s Parks team, the fountain in Bencke Park is finally back up and running.

The much loved park has been a favourite hangout for families for decades. However, in the late 1990s a key part of the fountain failed and was unable to be replaced as the item was no longer in circulation anywhere in the country.

Councillor Tony Williams said that had all changed now with Council’s Parks, Planning and Projects team searching far to replace the failed mechanism.

“The piece of equipment which failed was a water sphere – a globe-like piece of machinery which is key to a fountain of this design actually working,” Cr Williams said.

“Installing a new fountain was considered but after talking to the local community, it was clear that families that have grown up around here considered the fountain a bit of a local icon.

“So our hardworking team at Council searched far and wide before eventually finding somewhere which could make the part – more than 15,000km away in Germany.

“It’s now been delivered and installed and I’m so delighted to see that Bencke Park is complete once more. The fountain is looking better than ever with new multi-coloured lights switched on at night.

“I know this will be welcomed by many families and residents who use the park, and Council is really pleased to have been able to restore the fountain to its former glory,” Cr Williams said.