Toowoomba Council considers option on new admin building for staff near civic square

WORK has progressed on the development of a new CBD administration building for the Toowoomba Regional Council’s staff.

The Toowoomba Civic Square, including the current administration building to the right.

During confidential meetings, councillors on Wednesday considered several options for a potential new building, which would replace the ageing property situated behind the Soldiers Memorial Hall along Herries St.

Along with discussing a new building, a report was also commissioned to look at potential joint-venture and commercial options that council could consider as part of the project.

Environment and community chair Cr James O’Shea said the council had to yet see any plans, but was eager to see it take shape.

“The progression of the project came to council (on Wednesday), so we were just receiving the reports and to see if council was happy to proceed to the next stage of the investigation,” he said.

“It’s definitely something that needs to be looked at — council is an extremely large employer, and the facilities of staff are of paramount importance.

“The current building is of considerable age, and the staff have outgrown it.”

Cr O’Shea said the design of the building could also consider the further activation of the civic square.

“We want to activate the CBD and support more small businesses,” he said.

“We’re looking at what is the best fit.

“It’s important this integrates with the CBD in the future, and that’s about looking at the best option going forward.”