Toowoomba council to re-examine Railway Parklands precinct amid stalled progress of City Deal

The Toowoomba council has vowed to revitalise its stalled Railway Parklands project, amid revelations just three special developments had been submitted in the priority zone over the past decade.

The Toowoomba Regional Council is renewing efforts to ramp up development in a key part of the CBD after more than a decade of sluggish take-up from the private sector.

Just three developments have been submitted in the 50-hectare space known as the Railway Parklands precinct priority development area (PDA) under its special zoning laws since the precinct was declared by the state government in late 2014.

The zone covers all north-south land from Russell St to Bridge St and east-west land between Mort and Ruthven St, along with a smaller collection of blocks bordering Campbell, Neil and Russell to the east.

A map of the Toowoomba Railway Parklands precinct in the CBD.

The lacklustre interest comes despite the council offering lucrative $1m incentives to encourage major developments like luxury hotels and large unit complexes across the CBD, including the PDA.

But under the zone’s special planning laws designed to speed up, the only major approvals have been a showroom and hardware store next to the Mills Precinct and a shopping centre and residential project at the old Gasworks site off Chalk Dr.

The only other application of this kind came this year for a rebrand of the Australian Industry Trade College on the corner of Russell and the Neil Sts.

Flyover concept shots of the upcoming Toowoomba Railway Parklands project in the CBD.

While other projects have been advanced within the precinct like the Bunnings Warehouse, the revamps of the Met Hotel and the Spotted Cow and the new Salvos social housing tower, all of these were either standard council applications (material change of use) or state government-approved developments through a ministerial infrastructure designation.

But under new chief executive Sal Petroccitto and planning general manager Ed Johnson, the zone and the $25m parklands themselves as part of the SEQ City Deal will reportedly become a major focus over the next 12 months for council.

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It is believed all levers and options open to the TRC will be explored, including revisiting the planning regime, considering alternative uses for the $10m Goods Shed and even the greenlighting of council-led projects.

In a statement, mayor Geoff McDonald said the fast-tracking both public and private investment in the Railway Parklands was important to the long-term growth of Toowoomba.

“Council remains committed to the project and will consider its approach in line with funding stipulations under the SEQ City Deal and its own competing priorities,” he said.

“Private investment remains crucial to realising the long-term vision for the Toowoomba Railway Parklands.”

Dialogue with the Queensland government will be crucial for both endeavours, given the multi-year delays to the parklands due to disagreements over the project’s exact role.

Mr McDonald reiterated the council’s position in recent years that the best public land available to create new housing within the Parklands precinct was not actually owned by the TRC, but rather state government departments and entities.

A map showing the ownership breakdown of the Toowoomba Railway Parklands in the CBD.

“Toowoomba Regional Council will continue to work with the Queensland and Australian governments on progressing aspects of the SEQ City Deal relating to the Railway Parklands project,” he said.

“This includes ensuring council can best align its development objectives for the surrounding Priority Development Area with the housing priorities that have been assigned by the higher levels of government.

“While the land for future housing surrounding the proposed parkland is not in council’s ownership, council is keen to see and encourage more in-fill development in Toowoomba’s inner-city area.

“This will help to ensure more housing supply and greater diversity in housing types, along with aiding affordability for potential residents.”

The parklands, which has been in the works for decades, was included in the City Deal in 2022.