Toowoomba council to create new CBD park ‘the Farm’ in $45m green space splurge

Nearly 10 per cent of the council’s budget will be spent on new and existing parks across the region, including a new green space near the Toowoomba CBD.

A new community park near the centre of Toowoomba’s CBD is part of a $45m splurge by the council into the region’s green spaces.

Environment and community portfolio leader Councillor Tim McMahon recently revealed the council would start work soon on “The Farm” on the corner of Taylor and Mort Streets in Toowoomba City.

The new park, which was originally owned by the Boulton family in the 1800s and now belongs to the council, will receive a number of embellishments befitting of a “local recreation park”.

It is just one of several new and existing parks that will be injected with $45m in council funds in the current financial year, which is roughly nine per cent of the entire budget.

This is up from the $39m in 2021-22, which was just seven per cent of the total council spend.

Mr McMahon said the project, situated a few hundred metres from Russell Street and not far from the Railway Parklands precinct, was an exciting use of a potential green space otherwise left unimproved.

“Some of our parks are in prime development areas and would sell for a motza, but with (places like) the Farm designated as parkland, it’s hard to overrule that.

“The neighbourhood parks are still very popular.”

Mr McMahon said the council managed more than 87 square kilometres of open spaces, comprising 368 parks and nearly 200 other areas and bushland.

“The capital works program for the 2022/23 financial year will include park upgrade works to the ‘Farm Park’ at Mort Street in Toowoomba and Carla Crescent Park at Westbrook,” he said.

“These parks are scheduled to be upgraded to a developed local park standard and works will include the provision of pathways, play area, tree planting and signage.

“Other district level parks where significant park improvement and upgrade works will be ongoing this financial year include Theiss Park, Emerson Park, and Lake Annand Park.

“District parks recently upgraded by council and which have now reopened for public use include Coronation Park, Harristown, Pioneer Park, Goombungee and Lions Park, Hodgsonvale.”

Mr McMahon said nearly 50 parks were slated for upgrades over the next 10 years.

“Subject to budget and Council decisions, council has plans to develop or upgrade 47 parks including 22 local recreation parks and 24 district recreation parks and also intends to progress works on a new Toowoomba Regional Sports Park at Charlton,” he said.

“Council continues to plan for and develop its open space network to provide an integrated and accessible network of open space areas to create a sense of place and enhance liveability and recreational opportunity for the community.”

Originally published as Toowoomba council to create new CBD park ‘the Farm’ in $45m green space splurge