Shari’s tip for new Toowoomba Regional Councillors

Born and bred Toowoombaite Shari Crocker knows what the first order of business for the new Toowoomba Regional Council should be.

FOR born and bred Toowoombaite Shari Crocker, the first order of business for the new Toowoomba Regional Council (once the results are confirmed) should be an inner-city car park.

A bugbear of many a CBD worker for years as the city has grown and become more and more busy, attracting more and more traffic, Ms Crocker is not alone in asking for extra downtown parking spaces.

It even became one of the issues raised during our Toowoomba Regional Council election campaign.

But will anything change?

A hairdresser with Bou's for Men Barber Shop situated right the middle of the city's CBD in Margaret St's "Eat Street" precinct, Ms Crocker struggles daily for suitable parking.

"The traffic (flow) in the city is average and it could be better," she said.

"But I hate parking.

"Toowoomba needs more parking in the CBD, high-rise parking or something.

"We need more parking spaces for workers and for shoppers."

Traffic and lack of parking aside, the former St Saviour's College student enjoys living in her home town but she believes a few added attractions wouldn't go astray.

"I like that it's pretty easy to get around in Toowoomba," she said.

"But I wish more places (businesses) would stay open later at night.

"In Brisbane you can walk down the alleyways and there are little coffee shops and cafes open later at night where you can sit down for a chat and a coffee.

"It's not just nightclubs."

Many in Toowoomba have been calling for a large water park in the Garden City, something to keep families and particularly young people entertained in the city.

However, Ms Crocker is not so sure but is not opposed to the idea.

"I don't know if Toowoomba is big enough for a water park just yet," she said.

"Although I remember going to Willow Springs (Adventure Park to Toowoomba's south) when I was younger and it was pretty good."

For those unfamiliar with Willow Springs Adventure Park, the 4ha (10 acre) site stood where Springs Garden World is today in Spring St.

Established in the 1970s, the park featured dual water slides, a swimming pool, flying fox, skating rink, dodgem cars, over-sized swans in which patrons paddled around an island, trampolines and a horse/cow fashioned out of a used oil drum on which young visitors rocked backwards and forwards.

There was also a merry-go-round, swings and barbecues and was popular with families and Christmas parties and school break-ups.

The park closed in the late 1990s.

Originally published as Shari’s tip for new Toowoomba Regional Councillors