Ten years, $800 million invested. What’s next for Your City Centre - Beyond 2020?

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has today launched a ten-year review of the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan. Council is urging residents to get involved in the conversation that will help understand community priorities for the remaining ten years of the plan.

TRC Mayor Antonio said 'Your City Centre Beyond 2020' celebrates the progress made in implementing priority projects in the Toowoomba CBD and seeks community feedback on priorities over the next ten years.

“Through online events and engagement, residents from the region will be able to contribute their feedback and ideas for the future of the Toowoomba City Centre,” Mayor Antonio said.

"The responses will give a snapshot of our communities current aspirations for our city heart and will guide future development as part of an updated 10-year implementation plan.

"The community engagement will focus on five themes that will provide a broad range of feedback that will contribute to future investment. The themes are:

Mayor Antonio said the Your City Centre – Beyond 2020 review will provide an evidence-based guide that will support Council in the prioritising developments now, and into the future."

"The 2030 Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan is now at the half-way mark, and with ten years to go, it's the perfect time to take stock of achievements to date and look towards the next decade.

"Toowoomba’s 'City Centre', is defined as the area between Laurel Bank Park, Queen's Park, the railway station and the Toowoomba Hospital.

"Since the implementation of the master plan in 2010, the area has undergone significant change, with Council investing over $100 million in city-wide projects, including the City library, Good's Shed, outer circulatory road and Kwong Sang Walk.

"Our private sector has demonstrated significant confidence in our city, and our region and this is underlined by the major investment in new developments and renewal projects.

“Our Region has changed in the last decade, and we want the community to share their vision for our city centre in the next ten years.

"This ten-year review will also provide an ideal opportunity to plan for our post-COVID-19 future by looking at possibilities such as extended outdoor dining, promoting local small business and creating safe and healthy connections.

"Throughout this review Council will be working with stakeholders from business, industry, investment groups, and the community to refresh our plan for a more vibrant CBD.

“Our Toowoomba City Centre is a good news story, and the review celebrates the wins while confirming our vision for the CBD.

"The best years of our Region are ahead of us, and we want the community to play a part in shaping our City's exciting future."

To mark the launch of community engagement, TRC Chair of Planning and Development Chair, Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan today launched a video and a postcard to be distributed those living close to the city centre.

Cr O’Hara Sullivan said the Your City Centre – Beyond 2020 review allows the community to get involved in offering a direction for the city centre over the next decade.

"The video sets the scene for the review by outlining the achievements of the Toowoomba City Centre Masterplan and where our city heart is heading," Cr O'Hara Sullivan said.

“The postcard invites the community to write a message from the future in the CBD. It allows the community members to put to paper what the Toowoomba of 2030 look like for them? Is it better connected, greener, more liveable, creative and activated?

“We’re looking to understand people’s ideas, priorities and thoughts on your city’s centre and there are lots of ways you can get involved.

"The launch of Toowoomba's City Centre Master Plan in 2010 provided a process for the planning of the city's future up to 2031 and beyond.

"Through this review will be engaging with the community, and the business community to make sure this plan is still on track.

"Our engagement with the community will continue through a range of novel and innovative ways that will be announced throughout the process.

“Through the masterplan of our city heart, we all get to imagine the city of our dreams. What’s your vision for the future of our city?

“Join the conversation today.”

Community feedback will be accepted until 10 July 2020 and used to inform the final implementation plan is presented to Council. To find out the many ways you can contribute to the Your City Centre Beyond 2020 review visit https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/citycentre

Caption: Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan displaying the Your City Centre – Beyond 2020 Postcards