Council Committee recommends endorsement of two parkland master plans

Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) Environment and Community Services Committee has recommended Council endorse new master plans for Thiess Park Linear Corridor Parkland and East Creek Linear Corridor District Park. The East Creek Master Plan includes Lake Annand Park, Emmerson Park and the Toowoomba Waterbird habitat.

TRC Environment and Community Services Portfolio Leader, Cr Tim McMahon said our Region is renowned for its parks and gardens.

“The adoption of master plans for these parks will provide future design directions allowing Council to plan staged park upgrades,” Cr McMahon said.

“Thiess Park, Emmerson Park, Lake Annand Park and the East Creek linear corridor generally were all identified in the 2016 Toowoomba Region Open Space Strategy as requiring an upgrade to District Recreation Park.

“These park areas have limited recreational facilities, and upgrades would be required to meet district recreation standard.

“The upgrades of recreational facilities planned in the proposed master plans would encourage people to visit and stay longer in the parks.

“The upgrades to these parks will be funded primarily from development contributions and meet requirements associated with residential growth.

Cr McMahon said that Thiess Park in Darling Heights is approximately 7.4 hectares and forms the start of the Drayton Linear Corridor. The park incorporates Thiess Park north (Robindale Drive / Eucalyptus Drive), Thiess Park central (Luck Street / Smart Drive) and Thiess Park south (Hanley Street / Rosenstengel Street).

“Thiess Park is a District Recreation Park - Linear Corridor that follows the upper tributary of Westbrook Creek,” Cr McMahon said.

“Thiess Park currently only has local park facilities, and adoption of the new master plan will see staged upgrades to the park.

Cr McMahon said that linear corridors are dynamic and active green corridors that strive to offer continuous pedestrian and cycle access.

“These parks may also have various flora and fauna habitat corridors, stormwater functions as well as passive recreation,” Cr McMahon said.

“The East Creek Linear Corridor District Recreation Park is a major linear park corridor within the city of Toowoomba which crosses several catchment areas.

“The East Creek Linear Corridor consists of approximately 19 separate park areas along its full length from Cathro Park, Toowoomba City, in the north, to Ethan Street Park, Middle Ridge, in the south.

“The master plan will see the upgrade of Emmerson Park in Flinders Street, Centenary Heights as an important park area for the immediate community as well as providing facilities that complement the adjacent East Creek linear corridor.

“The master plan will also provide additional improvements to the Toowoomba Waterbird Habitat in Waterbird Drive, Rangeville, and Lake Annand Park, South Toowoomba.

Cr McMahon said the draft master plans for both Thiess Park and East Creek Linear Corridor had been assisted by consultation with the community.

“Any proposed future upgrade works would be subject to available capital funding and Council priorities,” Cr McMahon said.

“The recommendation to adopt the two new master plans will be presented for approval at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 18 August 2020.”

For more information about the Thiess Park upgrades go to https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/thiess-park, and East Creek Corridor improvements go to https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/east-creek-parklands