New plans to transform Toowoomba CBD with fairylights, projections

The beauty of Toowoomba’s CBD could be illuminated with plans to install fairylights and lighting projections across intersections and laneways. See the ideas here:

Twinkling fairy lights on the trees in Gympie’s CBD. The Toowoomba Regional Council’s upcoming lighting strategy could include fairy lights.

Fairy lights across streets and laneways, illuminated landmarks and projections on buildings could be part of a new strategy being developed for the Toowoomba CBD.

The Toowoomba Regional Council endorsed a plan last week to develop a lighting strategy for the city centre, with funding potentially allocated as part of an October budget review.

The concept was championed by Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan, who said she wanted to use public lighting to inject life into the CBD after hours.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan pointed to one intersection that deserved attention.

“I want a sense of festivity and activation for people to want to come into the CBD,” she said.

“At the moment, the only lights you see are from the shops, particularly the cross-section of Ruthven and Margaret Streets.

“It feels like it’s very traffic-heavy and it needs to be festive and welcoming, particularly around (Carnival of Flowers) time.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said much of her vision for the CBD was inspired by work done by councils in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and even regional centres like Emerald.

“My other point is to create a sense of discovery, and that fits into our laneway strategy,” she said.

“Looking at the Brisbane strategy, we could install fairy lights and be lighting up our laneways with bulbs, but also projecting lights onto buildings and structures.

“It could be lighting up our features, whether that is our buildings or trees — there is so much we can do that adds that sense of celebration.”

The motion was endorsed by Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl, who called it a positive step.

“The intervention, if done well, will enhance people’s CBD experience and demonstrates a real commitment by Toowoomba Regional Council to further invest in the rebranding of the CBD,” he said.