Business owners, Chamber of Commerce comment on $7.5m revamp and refresh of Russell St in Toowoomba CBD
Business owners based along a busy street in the Toowoomba CBD have given a mixed reaction to the council’s decision to spend $7.5 million to upgrade the streetscape.
Council
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The Toowoomba Regional Council this week endorsed a long-awaited refreshment of Russell St between Neil and Victoria Sts, at a cost of $7.5 million until October 2022.
The strip of road, which was believed to be the original main street of Toowoomba when it was first settled, has been slated for redevelopment since 2010.
According to the council’s reports on the project, the redevelopment would reduce the speed limit to 30km/h, remove the additional turning lanes at intersections, widen landscaped footpaths, create a new centre median in the western section, upgrade the lighting and CCTV technology and install street art.
Cafe Guitar owner Katie Eastaugh said she welcomed the revamp, but held concerns about the impact it would have on her business.
“Any infrastructure will be welcomed because the road looks quite ordinary,” she said.
“The thing is, I first found out it would only take nine months but now I’m hearing it’s going to take (several) years.
“The second thing is it will affect our businesses, so I’m wanting compensation.”
Ms Eastaugh said parking was a major issue for her business.
“We lose enough business as it is with parking,” she said.
“We’re not struggling, I’m not trying to be a victim, but when it comes to customers, the biggest issue is parking.”
Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl, whose office is also based on Russell St, said he welcomed the upgrades but questioned the decision to reduce the speed limit.
“We are fully supportive of refreshing the street — we think this will make a great contribution to things we’ve been advocating for, like asset renewal,” he said.
“We’ll just have to make sure construction impacts are closely monitored.
“I don’t really understand the necessity for the reduced speed limit, but that is the matter for TRC.”
Tess Lawry, whose Russell St-based company Feather and Lawry Design developed the artwork and designs for the council with JW Concepts, said the redevelopment would be a big boost for business owners once completed.
“The project aims to transform Russell St into a welcoming invitational streetscape that enhances and amplifies the unique historic character of a foundational Toowoomba street,” she said.
“A series of nodal sculptural shade structures at key locations along the street form the foundation of the architectural response.
“The proportions of the shade structures are complementary to the existing language of the adjacent architecture forming a harmonious integrated response.
“Landscaping and architecture has been subtly integrated with the partnership of Feather and Lawry and JW Concepts forming a series of public yet intimate spaces.”
During the council meeting, Cr Nancy Sommerfield tried unsuccessfully to keep the speed limit at 40km/h, but the amendment was defeated.