Lighting up Toowoomba’s CBD

A bright, warm and more inviting CBD could soon be on the way for Toowoomba.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) on 20 July, Councillors voted in favour of developing a lighting strategy to enhance the night-time experience.

Raising the motion, TRC Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said it was important to encourage more people into the CBD, while increasing the overall safety.

“There is a community desire for greater aesthetic lighting to enhance the Toowoomba CBD and help bring people together in celebration of our enviable lifestyle whilst supporting a vibrant night-time economy,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“It’s about atmosphere, occasion and safety.

“A lighting strategy would increase safety and night-time patronage, showcasing our unique heritage buildings, bridges, blank walls and signature landscapes.

“This would create a new dimension to the city experience and also ties in with our Laneway Strategy, which forms part of our City Centre Masterplan.

“In this proposal it would also be crucial for us to have a sustainable and energy efficient strategy.

“The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this concept and there is already infrastructure in the CBD that could be utilised to support the delivery of aesthetic lighting.

“The LIT Festival and the Rowes projections demonstrate that there is community and private sector support for innovative lighting solutions in the Toowoomba CBD.”

At the Ordinary Meeting Councillors unanimously voted in favour of preparing a lighting strategy for Council consideration that will achieve night-time enhancement of safety and general aesthetics in the Toowoomba CBD.

For more information visit www.tr.qld.gov.au or contact Council on 131 872.