Community & Business
16 October, 2025
Nine months and one ‘incident’ later
Paddy Ryan Band Shell repair update
It has been nine months since the Stanthorpe band shell was described as dysfunctional and even dangerous in council chambers. It still isn’t fixed and there seems to be two interpretations of when the doors of the Paddy Ryan Band Shell were deemed unserviceable.
A council spokesperson told The Town & Country Journal that the roller door “has not been classified as dangerous” and that it is only “due to technical specifications and custom build requirements, [that] it has taken some time to secure the door.”
In the January 2025 ordinary meeting, Cr Russell Wantling introduced the motion for a safety report to be carried out on the council-owned facility.
At the time, Cr Wantling advised that, “There are definitely safety issues. I’ve been contacted by one of the lessees,” Cr Wantling said, adding that there were worries about damage to the equipment in the bandstand, musical instruments and that other fittings have been broken “for years.”
In that meeting, Deputy Mayor Sheryl Windle also asked about the safety of the structure. “I do feel it’s something that needs to be attended to…I want to make sure we’re not ignoring that issue,” she said. Councillors unanimously agreed to a report on the infrastructure in the January meeting.
The Town & Country Journal asked the SDRC about the progress of the repairs last week and were told that works were expected to commence on October 13.
“The roller door at the Paddy Ryan Band Shell will be replaced as part of the scheduled capital works program," a council spokesperson said. "The new electric door is custom-built to specification and will be fully automated, enhancing both user safety and operational efficiency.”
Although the damaged facility was raised in the January meeting, the council spokesperson referred to a date six months later.
“The existing roller door was marked out of service following an incident in June 2025 which raised safety concerns.”
It is unclear what the incident involved.
Completion of the roller door replacement is expected by early November 2025, according to the SDRC response.
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