Toowoomba stadium upgrade: Sporting clubs, Groom MP Garth Hamilton criticise council vote to endorse submission

The Toowoomba council’s decision to endorse a positive submission into a reported $80m upgrade of the city’s stadium has been savaged by politicians and local sporting groups.

Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba; Groom MP Garth Hamilton is not happy with the council’s decision to endorse a positive submission.

Sports clubs that could be relocated as part of an $80m upgrade to the Toowoomba Sports Ground (TSG) have slammed the council for endorsing a positive submission towards the proposal, with the Groom federal MP calling it a “lazy option”.

The futures of the Toowoomba Bowls Club, Range Tennis Club and Toowoomba Croquet Club along Lindsay St appear to be up in the air after Toowoomba Region councillors narrowly voted at Tuesday’s meeting to lodge an officer’s submission about the TSG to a snap 60-day review of 2032 Olympic venues chaired by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton and members of the Toowoomba Bowls Club.

Submissions were due by Wednesday, with Mr Quirk to present his findings to Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on March 18.

The document, which was to answer the question of legacy opportunities for the region if the stadium was upgraded, was heavily criticised by three councillors for not including the concerns of the clubs, along with nearby residents living in the built-up residential suburb of East Toowoomba.

Western Clydesdales against Northern Pride in Hostplus Cup rugby league at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The lack of consultation with residents, both by the state government for the proposal and the council for the submission, were criticised.

Michael Hanna. Picture: Bev Lacey

While some councillors at the meeting argued the decision was ultimately the state government’s, parks and recreation manager Sally Egan’s report said the TRC failing to provide a positive submission could see Toowoomba miss out on Olympic infrastructure.

Bowls club president Michael Hanna said the council’s decision was “disappointing”, adding he believed it had been held to ransom by the state government.

“I’m very disappointed in the council — it’s a bit weird, because it seems like the council has a gun to their head, because they’ve been asked to either endorse this or get nothing. It’s typical of the process that has plagued the Olympic process so far,” he said. “You can’t provide a submission outlining legacy without discussing the impacts on the community.

“Is it going to be done right or are they going to shoehorn a 15,000 seat stadium into a neighbourhood area?”

Mr Hanna said the club might consider a relocation, but only if it was “in a suitable position for the club to continue in its current endeavours”.

Federal MP for Groom Garth Hamilton was less generous to the council, arguing it had not stood up for the wellbeing of residents.

“Council has underestimated the strength of their voice — those clubs are relying on the council to be their voice,” he said.

“When you’re an elected representative, you have to take up the fight — there are clearly concerns being expressed there, and people rely on the council.

“Just because the state government makes a veiled threat about funding, doesn’t mean we have to roll over.

“I’m sure with a committed campaign, we could’ve addressed some of this.

“I’m keen to see investment in Toowoomba, and I appreciate sometimes getting that process right can take a lot of work, and I do not believe that hard work has been done — this seems like a lazy option.”

Tennis club secretary Tony Brown was contacted for comment.