Council launches 10-year review of city master plan

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has today launched a 10-year review of the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan. Council is urging residents to get involved in the conversation.

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has today launched a 10-year review of the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan. Council is urging residents to get involved in the conversation.

TRC Mayor Antonio said Your City Centre Beyond 2020 review celebrated the progress made in implementing priority projects in the Toowoomba CBD and sought community feedback on priorities over the next 10 years.

"Through online events and engagement, residents from the region will be able to contribute their feedback and ideas for the future of the Toowoomba City Centre," Cr Antonio said.

"The responses will give a snapshot of our communities current aspirations for our city heart and will guide future development as part of an updated 10-year implementation plan.

"The community engagement will focus on five themes that will provide a broad range of feedback that will contribute to future investment. The themes are:

• Activated: Creative ideas for the City Centre?

• Connected: Better ways to move around the City Centre?

• Greener: More trees in the City Centre?

• Liveable: Want to live in the City Centre?

• Post COVID-19: What's your City Centre post COVID-19?"

Cr Antonio said the Your City Centre - Beyond 2020 review would provide an evidence-based guide that would support council in the prioritising developments now, and into the future.

"The 2030 Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan is now at the halfway mark, and with 10 years to go, it's the perfect time to take stock of achievements to date and look towards the next decade," Cr Antonio said.

"Toowoomba's City Centre is defined as the area between Laurel Bank Park, Queen's Park, the railway station and the Toowoomba Hospital.

"Since the implementation of the master plan in 2010, the area has undergone significant change, with council investing over $100 million in citywide projects, including the city library, good's shed, outer circulatory road and Kwong Sang Walk."

He said it was time for the community to share their vision for the next decade.

"This 10-year review will also provide an ideal opportunity to plan for our post-COVID-19 future by looking at possibilities such as extended outdoor dining, promoting local small business and creating safe and healthy connections," he said.

"Throughout this review council will be working with stakeholders from business, industry, investment groups, and the community to refresh our plan for a more vibrant CBD.

"Our Toowoomba City Centre is a good news story, and the review celebrates the wins while confirming our vision for the CBD.

"The best years of our region are ahead of us, and we want the community to play a part in shaping our City's exciting future."

To mark the launch of community engagement, TRC chair of planning and development Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan launched a video and a postcard to be distributed to those living close to the city centre.

Cr O'Hara Sullivan said the Your City Centre - Beyond 2020 review allowed the community to get involved in offering a direction for the city centre over the next decade.

"The video sets the scene for the review by outlining the achievements of the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan and where our city heart is heading," Cr O'Hara Sullivan said.

"The postcard invites the community to write a message from the future in the CBD.

"It allows the community members to put to paper what the Toowoomba of 2030 look like for them? Is it better connected, greener, more liveable, creative and activated?

"We're looking to understand people's ideas, priorities and thoughts on your city's centre and there are lots of ways you can get involved."

Community feedback will be accepted until July 10, 2020 and used to inform the final implementation plan is presented to council.
To find out the many ways you can contribute to the Your City Centre Beyond 2020 review visit https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/citycentre