11 Toowoomba, Darling Downs developments completed in 2021
They were the projects that generated massive economic windfalls and caused plenty of discussion. Here are 11 big developments that were completed in 2021.
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The past 12 months has been a massive period for the development and business industry in Toowoomba.
Some of largest and most controversial projects were finished in 2021 across the Darling Downs, including Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley.
Here are the 11 largest, in no particular order.
Passionate home brewer Nathan Semmens realised his dream of a pub overlooking the Toowoomba escarpment in October, with the opening of the Monty Brewing Co.
The site on the New England Highway at Highfields has been five years in the making, with the venue needing to be built from the ground up.
Renowned local developer Rob Weymouth finished work in May on Toowoomba’s newest low-cost service station, Pearl Energy.
Mr Weymouth spent several years developing the project before work started last year.
Sydney operator Pearl Energy, a new player in the industry, became the tenant and plans to open a second location in Newtown soon.
An $8m development in a major growth area of Toowoomba, the new Ampol service station on the corner of Greenwattle and Alderley Streets in Glenvale was opened in May at a cost of about $8m.
Along with the anchor tenant, the site will also cater for a drive-through eatery.
Developer Edward Hodge said it would signal the start of significant development in the area, including a mixed-use precinct dubbed Brookvale Village.
In a giant leap for Australian space research, the first privately-owned, static rocket testing site was developed in a partnership between Rocket Technologies International and the University of Southern Queensland.
A sandstone quarry is the home of the Helidon Rocket Test Site, allowing developers to test rockets that are secured to the ground in a controlled environment.
Executive director of USQ’s Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences Professor Peter Schubel said it was the only facility of its kind in Australia outside of the Defence Force.
With the first stage opened in March, plans have since been lodged to expand the site.
One of Toowoomba’s most popular pubs was utterly transformed this year, with new owners giving the Tatts Hotel a fresh new look.
The revamp, which opened in April, features was adorned with pink and green palm trees, greenery throughout, and a roof lined with cane pendant lights.
There is also a sports bar, The Stadium, which is home to Toowoomba’s largest non-cinema screen, and a cocktail lounge.
6. WELLCAMP QUARANTINE HUB (FIRST STAGE)
Easily one Queensland’s most controversial projects in 2021, the first stage of the Wellcamp Quarantine Hub was finished this week.
Wagner Corporation finished the massive project near Wellcamp Airport in just a few months, despite rain delays.
The facility, which will host international students, returning residents and overseas workers, will hold 500 beds in the first stage and 1000 beds once fully completed in April.
The cost of the hub has remained confidential to this point.
7. RUSSELL STREET REFRESH (FIRST STAGE)
The Toowoomba Regional Council’s teams breathed new life into one of the CBD’s oldest streets in 2021.
The Russell Street Refresh, easily one of the most significant city centre infrastructure projects in years, will cost $7.5m once fully completed.
The first section between Victoria and Ruthven Streets was completed in November.
A block party was organised to help celebrate and thank businesses along Russell Street for the six-month inconvenience.
8. PLAINLAND BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE
The region’s newest warehouse superstore opened in June at Plainland in the Lockyer Valley.
The new store employs more than 100 people and contributes to the growing Plainland Crossing community.
The new buyers never viewed the property and reportedly didn’t even know where Plainland was.
Thousands of tonnes of exports will be transported to the world every year thanks to the launch of Wagner Corporation’s $18m trade distribution centre at Wellcamp Airport.
The 4000 sqm facility, which was opened by Treasurer Cameron Dick in July, will allow both emerging and established exporters to store and move their freight across the globe.
Chairman John Wagner said he wanted to see more than 10 flights to and from Wellcamp Airport every week in the near future.
The finishing touches are still being done, but the total overhaul of the Rowes precinct on the corner of Russell and Victoria Streets is practically complete.
The massive $10m refurbishment turned the rear of Rowes Furniture Store into a series of office, retail and hospitality tenancies.
Once filled, more than a dozen businesses will call the precinct home.
The Chronicle was revealed to be the first tenant back in June, with the Toowoomba Gallery following soon after.
The front facade also enjoyed a massive facelift, complementing the recent refurbishment of Russell Street by the Toowoomba Regional Council.
Replacing the Cave Gym off Victoria Street, X-Golf was a late-year surprise for golfing enthusiasts and casual fans.
Located in the Rowes Precinct, co-owner Justin Garvie said they players would be able to tee up this weekend.
Along with several virtual bays, the venue also includes a full bar and space to host parties.
DID we miss a project completed in 2021? Let us know at thomas.gillespie@news.com.au and we’ll consider adding it to the list.
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