Better public transport, housing options dominate feedback from 9100 residents in Toowoomba Regional Council’s CBD review

More than 9000 residents have given their verdict on what they believe needs to change in the city centre. SEE WHAT THEY SAID HERE:

The scramble crossing at the intersection of Margaret and Ruthven Sts in the Toowoomba CBD. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Better housing options, more public transport and public space activation are among the top things Toowoomba residents for the city centre in the council’s review of its CBD master plan.

Councillors this week were presented with the community feedback of more than 9000 residents, with most all age groups represented strongly including those under 40.

Officers attributed this to the emphasis on gathering opinions and thoughts via digital surveys, with about one in five respondents aged under 30.

It comes a few months after the Toowoomba Regional Council announced it would review its 2010 master plan, looking ahead to 2030.

The report by TRC principal urban designer Ann Whitton made 15 recommendations for projects and initiatives the council could implement to make the CBD greener, more liveable, more activated and more connected.

“The major challenges which the city centre is currently presented with is how to ensure these facilities and spaces are better connected, through public and active transport, and tree-shaded, pedestrian-friendly streets,” the report found.

“Another significant challenge for the city centre is to provide a diversity of housing choices that attract people to live in the centre and supports the creation of a vibrant and active centre.

“Particularly in response to COVID, there is now a desire to progress some of the smaller scale projects that will return life and vitality to the streets of Toowoomba city centre.”

The projects included supporting small business incubation, investigating better and new active and public transport options, making Margaret St even more pedestrian-friendly, revisiting the position of the transit centre and planting more trees that created shade.

Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald, who was very supportive of the findings, suggested better laneway activation to encourage live music and street performance art.

“One theme that did come up through activation was to make it easier for street performances and the activation of laneways, and (the newly-opened) Carnival Lane highlights that even more,” he said.

The report also gave insight into residents’ habits within the CBD, with just 22 per cent of participants visiting the CBD every day and less than 40 per cent visiting a few times a week.

The most popular reason to enter the city centre was for dining, drinking and partying (62 per cent), following by shopping (57 per cent) and then entertainment (52 per cent).

A majority felt walking and cycling needs could be better met, while a whopping 70 per cent agreed improved green transport infrastructure would further encourage use.