Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald reveals problem with funding for $25m Railway Parklands project

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald says funding for the $25m Railway Parklands project has hit a major obstacle that must be cleared if it is to progress, with a map showcasing the problem.

The long-promised $25m Toowoomba Railway Parklands project faces a troubled future unless a major funding dispute between the council and the upper tiers of government can be resolved soon.

The proposal, which would create a new green space on hectares near of the centre of the city, has faced delays since it was announced in the SEQ City Deal in 2022 — one of the few Toowoomba projects to make it into the agreement.

FLYOVER: New concept video has been released for the $65m Railway Parklands project in the Toowoomba CBD.

Under the deal, all three levels of government would contribute funds to build the parklands and deliver housing in the surrounding area, with Toowoomba Regional Council needing to finish the business case by the end of the year.

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

But the TRC revealed in March it was “reconsidering” its commitment due to the impeding delivery of the $270m Cressbrook Dam safety upgrades, which must be completed by late next year.

It was a situation Groom MP Garth Hamilton slammed as a “massive failure of delivering”.

Mayor Geoff McDonald told News Corp the key obstacle to delivering the business case for the parklands was the scope of the funding designated for council, which was reportedly meant to be used to deliver new housing.

Mr McDonald said that arrangement was impossible, given the council-owned land in the precinct was not suitable for housing.

An aerial map shows the majority of land within the project is owned by either the Department of Transport and Main Roads or Queensland Rail.

“Things have changed from a housing perspective, the issue is the parkland we own is only suitable for parkland, not housing,” he said.

“The land suitable for housing is on TMR or private land.

“We’re hopeful that we may be able to fulfil an obligation of providing housing, but the crux is the land we own is not for housing.

“The funding has needed to be redirected (towards housing), and if that’s the case the parklands project is not suitable.”

Mr McDonald also pointed out the land that could be used for housing would require rehabilitation, potentially pushing out the costs up significantly.

It comes amid confusion over the level of correspondence about the parklands between the council and the federal government.

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald.

The TRC’s statement from March said it was “seeking additional information from the Commonwealth Government” about the project, something federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said she had not seen at all.

Ms King’s office said it had received no letters from any government body about the parklands since January.

The council later clarified these conversations had been done with the Queensland government, something Mr McDonald reaffirmed.

“Our officers have met with the state and federal City Deals teams at least twice, we’ve spoken about the lack of clarity around the funding that’s potentially coming to us,” he said.

“Discussions are going on now, we’re hopeful officers will be able to report back to council (soon).”