Chamber CEO: How Toowoomba’s CBD could be revitalised

MY VIEW is a central business district is the heart of any city and is typically a meeting place for all the community.

Toowoomba CBD.

MY VIEW is a central business district is the heart of any city and is typically a meeting place for all the community.

It needs constant attention and focus to remain ahead of the game.

We all need to understand the critical factors that keep a CBD activated and business thriving, what we want from our CBD and how business, government and the community can collectively focus on delivering the heart of Toowoomba as a destination.

Of course, we can look to others to see how they have dealt with CBD renewal.

In Townsville, we have seen James Cook University setting up offices in the CBD and a stadium, once in the suburbs, now near the CBD. According to reports, both are catalytic, will help business prosper and revitalise a CBD. I guess time will tell.

Locally, we heard on WIN News several CBD traders outline that the CBD is a critical issue for them in the upcoming local government elections.

In fact, a focus on the CBD will be a win for small business, if plans are turned into actions.

The matters raised reflect those concerns which have been raised with the Toowoomba Chamber about the future of the CBD, its parking, its lack of diversity, increased local government investment, limited night economy and the like.

Now, I would like to be clear that the work undertaken by the Toowoomba Regional Council to date and other private investors in the CBD to date, I would describe as outstanding.

But I am being told by those in the CBD, the CBD needs more.

What needs to be done? Some ideas put to me for us to consider as part of a re-boot of Toowoomba’s city heart, are:

• More residential opportunities;
• A comprehensive parking solution;
• Enabling the integration of large institutions into the CBD, like universities;
• Increased local government investment in the CBD;
• Commitment to a catalyst CBD project;
• Better integration of existing catalytic assets like Empire Theatre to the CBD; and
• A well-resourced independent body to oversee CBD transformation.

Which candidate will tackle the challenges associated with a future CBD head on? How will they do it?

Let the Toowoomba Chamber know your ideas on how we can make the CBD the destination it deserves to be for all of us.

Think big and email your ideas to [e-mail].

Make sure you book into the mayoral candidates breakfast on March 10 or the council candidates forum on March 12 2020 and we can hear all candidates’ bold ambitions.