JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract delivery has been confirmed after Flinders Shire Council awarded the Townsville-based construction company a $1.57 million contract for a new recreational hall at the Hughenden Showgrounds.

JKC Building Pty Ltd was awarded Work Package 1 under the Hughenden Showgrounds Upgrades Stage 2 tender for $1,574,693.39 excluding GST.

The new recreational hall is expected to improve the functionality, capacity and accessibility of the showgrounds for community activities, sporting groups, events and visiting organisations.

Flinders Shire Council announced in July 2026 that JKC Building was expected to commence work shortly, with completion anticipated by March 2027.

The awarded contract is limited to the recreational hall package. The wider Stage 2 tender also included a new bar and canteen and a recreational hall pavilion, but those packages were not included in the current JKC Building award.

JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract awarded for $1.57 million

The JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract was awarded following a public procurement process undertaken through VendorPanel.

Tender 102.2025.4 sought submissions for three separable work packages:

• Work Package 1: Recreational hall;
• Work Package 2: Bar and canteen; and
• Work Package 3: Recreational hall pavilion.

Contractors were able to tender for individual packages or the full Stage 2 project scope.

Six submissions were received by the tender closing date, with five assessed as conforming and one deemed non-conforming.

Following evaluation, Flinders Shire Council selected JKC Building for Work Package 1, covering construction of the recreational hall.

The tender was assessed using the following weighted criteria:

• Experience and capability: 40%;
• Price: 30%;
• Methodology, program and management systems: 20%; and
• Local content, employment and environmental considerations: 10%.

Contract value is $1,574,693.39 excluding GST

The confirmed JKC Building contract value is $1,574,693.39 excluding GST.

This figure applies specifically to Work Package 1 for the new recreational hall.

It should not be described as the value of the entire Hughenden Showgrounds Stage 2 program because the bar and canteen and pavilion packages were assessed separately.

The recommended accurate wording is:

JKC Building has secured a $1.57 million contract to construct the new Hughenden Showgrounds recreational hall.

New recreational hall to strengthen the regional events precinct

The recreational hall is intended to provide a flexible indoor facility capable of supporting community events and activities throughout the year.

The showgrounds is already used by residents, event organisers, sporting groups and visitors. The new building is expected to improve the precinct’s capacity to support a broader range of functions and provide a more modern community venue.

Potential future uses may include:

• community meetings;
• indoor recreation;
• agricultural show activities;
• festival and event functions;
• sporting-club activities;
• training and workshops;
• emergency or community coordination;
• exhibitions and displays; and
• private and public functions.

The final permitted uses and operational arrangements will be determined by Flinders Shire Council and the completed building design.

Construction expected to finish by March 2027

Flinders Shire Council’s July 2026 project update stated that JKC Building was expected to commence work shortly.

Completion of the recreational hall is anticipated by March 2027, subject to construction conditions, material availability, approvals and unforeseen site issues.

The delivery program is likely to include:

• site establishment;
• surveying and construction set-out;
• earthworks and foundations;
• concrete slabs and structural works;
• building-frame erection;
• roofing and cladding;
• electrical and plumbing installation;
• internal fit-out;
• fire and accessibility works;
• external civil works;
• testing and commissioning; and
• final certification and handover.

The exact construction methodology and building specifications are governed by the contract documents and approved design.

Bar and canteen package remains separate

The wider Stage 2 project originally included a proposed new bar and canteen.

Flinders Shire Council’s tender assessment found that Work Package 2 exceeded the available funding allocation.

Council submitted a variation request to the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program seeking a scope adjustment that could support delivery of elements of the bar and canteen package.

At the time of the contract decision, Council resolved to proceed with the funded recreational hall while continuing to explore options for the remaining components.

The subsequent July project update indicated that a new bar and canteen was expected to commence, with JKC Building also identified as the appointed contractor. However, the publicly available tender register confirms the $1.57 million figure specifically for the recreational hall package.

Any separate bar and canteen contract value should therefore be verified before publication as a confirmed amount.

Recreational hall pavilion was not funded under the initial award

Work Package 3 covered a proposed recreational hall pavilion.

Council’s May 2026 assessment stated that this package was unfunded and could not proceed under the available allocation at that time.

The pavilion may be considered through a later funding or procurement decision, but it should not be presented as part of the confirmed $1.57 million JKC Building contract.

Growing Regions Program supports the hall

The recreational hall package is supported through the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program.

The program provides funding for community and economic infrastructure projects in regional areas.

For Hughenden, investment in the showgrounds is intended to support:

• community infrastructure;
• regional events;
• sporting and recreational use;
• economic and social development;
• visitor activity;
• community wellbeing; and
• long-term use of the showgrounds precinct.

Council determined that the recreational hall package could be delivered within the available funding and represented value for money.

Demolition contract awarded separately

Preparation for the broader Hughenden Showgrounds redevelopment also includes demolition of existing buildings.

Flinders Shire Council separately recommended awarding a demolition contract to RJG Builders Pty Ltd for $88,174.93 excluding GST.

That scope covered demolition of the old kitchen, bar and canteen buildings at the showgrounds.

The demolition package is separate from JKC Building’s recreational hall contract and should not be added to the $1.57 million award value.

JKC Building brings Western Queensland experience

JKC Building is a family-owned Townsville construction company with a long history of work across North and Western Queensland.

The company states that it was founded in 1972 as Kenna Constructions in Winton and has remained family owned and operated for more than 50 years.

Its commercial construction work extends across Townsville, Richmond, Hughenden and regional communities including Boulia, Julia Creek and Winton.

JKC Building promotes capability across:

• commercial construction;
• rural and remote building projects;
• new buildings;
• renovations and extensions;
• construction coordination;
• regional mobilisation; and
• delivery in Western Queensland communities.

The company’s existing familiarity with regional travel, logistics and remote project delivery may support construction at Hughenden.

Regional construction creates logistics requirements

Delivering a commercial building in Hughenden involves different supply-chain considerations from construction in a major metropolitan centre.

The contractor may need to coordinate:

• long-distance delivery of materials;
• regional and Townsville-based subcontractors;
• worker travel and accommodation;
• plant and equipment mobilisation;
• concrete and construction-material availability;
• storage and site security;
• weather and seasonal conditions;
• inspection and certification visits; and
• coordination with other showgrounds works.

Efficient programming will be important where specialist trades or materials must be brought from Townsville or other regional centres.

Potential employment and local-business benefits

The JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract may support work for local and regional construction businesses.

Potential project roles may include:

• project managers;
• site supervisors;
• carpenters;
• concreters;
• steel installers;
• roofers;
• electricians;
• plumbers;
• painters;
• flooring installers;
• equipment operators;
• labourers;
• surveyors;
• building certifiers;
• transport operators; and
• administrative and project-support personnel.

Construction may also generate expenditure through local accommodation, fuel, meals, transport and other business services.

Supply-chain opportunities from the Hughenden hall contract

The project contains a range of commercial-building disciplines relevant to North and Western Queensland suppliers.

Potential areas of participation may include:

• surveying and construction set-out;
• site preparation;
• earthworks;
• excavation;
• concrete foundations;
• concrete slabs;
• reinforcing steel;
• structural steel fabrication;
• structural steel erection;
• timber framing and carpentry;
• roofing and roof plumbing;
• wall cladding;
• doors and windows;
• glazing;
• electrical installation;
• lighting;
• communications cabling;
• plumbing and drainage;
• fire services;
• air conditioning and ventilation;
• accessible building features;
• internal linings;
• joinery;
• painting;
• flooring;
• external paving and civil works;
• landscaping;
• plant and equipment hire;
• construction materials;
• temporary fencing;
• waste management;
• transport and freight;
• worker accommodation; and
• site cleaning.

These are potential work areas only. The contract announcement does not confirm which subcontract packages remain available, and JKC Building may already have preferred trades and suppliers appointed.

Businesses should approach the contractor through its official channels with relevant building capability, regional experience, licensing and safety information.

Accessibility and public-building compliance

As a new community building, the recreational hall will need to satisfy applicable building, accessibility, fire, health and safety requirements.

Relevant design and construction considerations may include:

• accessible entrances and paths;
• door widths and circulation spaces;
• accessible sanitary facilities;
• emergency exits;
• fire-detection and warning systems;
• emergency lighting;
• structural certification;
• electrical compliance;
• ventilation and thermal comfort;
• occupancy limits;
• slip-resistant surfaces; and
• final building certification.

The exact requirements will depend on the approved building classification and construction documentation.

Showgrounds upgrades support regional events

The Hughenden Showgrounds is an important regional community and event facility.

Improved infrastructure may help Hughenden attract and host:

• agricultural and pastoral events;
• community celebrations;
• sporting activities;
• festivals;
• markets;
• training programs;
• club functions; and
• visiting regional events.

Modern facilities can improve event capacity, accessibility, food-service options and the experience of visitors and organisers.

The investment is therefore intended to provide both community benefits and potential economic activity through regional events and tourism.

Why the JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract matters

The JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract combines several elements relevant to Bowen Basin Index readers:

• a confirmed winning contractor;
• a verified $1.57 million contract value;
• a regional Queensland location;
• a defined construction scope;
• a scheduled March 2027 completion;
• commercial-building supply-chain activity;
• regional workforce and logistics requirements; and
• investment in community and event infrastructure.

The strongest industry framing is that a Townsville family-owned builder with established Western Queensland experience has secured a defined regional construction package.

Bowen Basin Index readers can follow further Queensland regional construction awards through the Project Watch construction category, the regional economy category, the infrastructure category and the broader Project Watch news hub.

JKC Building Hughenden Showgrounds contract summary

Flinders Shire Council has awarded JKC Building Pty Ltd a $1,574,693.39 contract, excluding GST, for construction of a new recreational hall at the Hughenden Showgrounds.

The contract represents Work Package 1 of the Stage 2 showgrounds upgrade.

Construction is expected to commence shortly, with completion anticipated by March 2027.

The wider Stage 2 tender included separate bar and canteen and pavilion packages. Those components should not be included in the confirmed $1.57 million recreational hall contract value.