Toowoomba Regional Council’s Highfields Library project approved by TRC’s own planning department

The Toowoomba Regional Council has approved its own plan for the upcoming new Highfields Library project.

Concept art for the new Highfields Library.

A major project by the Toowoomba Regional Council has taken a further step to completion, with the TRC’s own planning department approving plans for the new Highfields Library.

The massive new library building on Balmoral St in the Highfields Cultural Precinct will start construction soon, after the proposal was approved last week.

According to the planning report by GHD, the development would be mainly single-storey, partially built into the ground and feature landscaping.

“The current Highfields Library is a demountable structure that does not have the facilities or space required to accommodate the growing number of library users in Highfields,” the report said.

“The proposed development will provide a new, purpose-built library that facilitates current and future service delivery to the growing locality.

“The library will play an important role in the community as a central hub, also serving as a customer service centre and community meeting facility to support approximately 52,600 visitors annually.”

It comes just two months after the council released the tender to design and construct the new building.

Environment and community chair Cr James O’Shea said the project would also involve the upgrade of the nearby road and carparking infrastructure.

“The council has completed service upgrades along O’Brien Rd and within the Highfields Cultural Precinct and constructed a new road between O’Brien Rd and Lauder Dr,” Cr O’Shea said in October.

“The new road opened on October 6 and is providing additional vehicle access, while sections of Sean McCarthy Way and Balmoral St are closed for critical infrastructure works during October and November.”