Queens Park revitalisation project complete

The Queens Park revitalisation project is now complete. Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Environment and Community Portfolio Leader Cr Tim McMahon said the revitalisation project marked the completion of Stage 7 of the Queens Park Master Plan improvement project.

“The Stage 7 revitalisation project included construction of pathways, installation of an entry statement to Queens Park, upgrades to Margaret Street playground, upgrades to the Botanic Gardens and Vera Lacaze Park amenities, installation of lighting and security cameras, landscaping and the construction of an interpretive shelter.

“The $5.5 million Stage 7 project took two and a half years to complete and was partly funded by the Queensland Government’s Building our Region fund.

“Since 2012, more than $15 million dollars’ worth of works have been carried out in Queens Park as part of the Master Plan improvement project.”

Council completed extensive community consultation in 2012 ahead of creating the Queens Park Master Plan. Detailed design work occurred at various stages of the project with the first stage of the park improvement works undertaken in 2014.

“As part of the overall upgrade program for the park, Council have installed two new playgrounds (off Lindsay Street and Margaret Street), and constructed five upgraded or new public amenities across the park, including an accredited changing places room,” Cr McMahon said.

“Work also included extensive pathway upgrades and other access improvements including significant car parking upgrades, improved lighting throughout the park, extensive landscaping, upgraded shelters with accessible picnic facilities, way-finding and interpretive signs, new park furniture, improvements to the designated dog off-leash area and provision of City Safe security services.

“As a Council, we place an enormous value on our parks and appreciate the vital role they play in people’s lives by providing green space, recreational areas and places of solitude and contemplation. This is why the Queens Park Master Plan improvement project has been so important to us.

“The completion of this project has been nine years in the making. I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved. The improvements completed at Queens Park involved a significant investment and commitment from Council and I’m excited to see the vision we created back in 2013 finally come to life.”

Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the Palaszczuk Government was proud to support and improve Toowoomba’s lifestyle with almost $2.8 million in Building our Regions funding.

“Queens Park is the heart and soul of the city for local Toowoomba families, and we’re proud to be supporting the Council’s efforts to make it even better,” Ms Boyd said.

“The works carried out here will ensure it remains a place to play, exercise and simply to connect with each other for many years to come.

“We’re committed to delivering good jobs and improving Queensland’s great lifestyle – this upgrade delivers both.

“The Building our Regions program is designed to support local government infrastructure projects in regional communities that create flow-on economic development opportunities and jobs while also improving liveability.”

This Stage 7 Queens Park Master Plan improvement project was developed with the support of the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions program in association with the Toowoomba Regional Council.