Toowoomba council seeks input on Carly Hibberd park upgrades

Toowoomba Council wants to hear from the public regarding plans for Carly Hibberd park in Kearneys Springs.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is inviting residents to have their say on future improvements to Carly Hibberd Park in Kearneys Spring. The park was named in the late cyclist’s honour in 2015 after Hibberd tragically lost her life while cycling in Milan. Photo: Supplied

Nearly 10 years on from the tragic death of elite Toowoomba cyclist, Carly Hibberd,

Toowoomba Regional Council is inviting residents to have their say on future improvements to the Kearneys Spring park named in her honour.

Ms Hibberd was one of Toowoomba and Australia’s most promising professional cyclists.

Her most notable achievements included winning the 2007 Queensland State Road Race championship, winning the 2008 National Road Race series and winning the 2009 Australian Women’s Road Race.

On 6 July 2011, she was riding north of Milan when a car struck her and she was killed instantly.

Queensland cyclist Carly Hibberd during the third stage of the 2008 Geelong International Women's Tour race, was killed when she collided with a car while training with an Italian professional team north of Milan on in July 2011.

In 2015 TRC voted unanimously to name a park in its “Cycling Estate” located on Nelson Street, Kearneys Spring after Hibberd following lobbying by her first coach David Budden.

TRC Parks and Recreation Services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said the council was planning to introduce features which would encourage people of all ages and abilities to visit and stay longer at the park.

“New features may include playgrounds, picnic facilities, walking and cycling paths, formalised parking and landscaping,” Cr McMahon said.

“The community can initially share ideas by speaking with council in the park on Thursday, February 11 from 3.30-5.30pm.

“The community can also provide feedback by completing a survey on the council’s Your Say website and at a customer service centres with the survey closes at 5pm on Monday, February 15.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is inviting residents to have their say on future improvements to Carly Hibberd Park in Kearneys Spring.

“Community feedback will be used to guide the development of a draft master plan for the park.

“The community can then view and comment on the draft master plan in the park on Saturday, 6 March from 10am to noon. The draft master plan will also be available on Council’s Your Say website and at customer service centres from Saturday, 6 March, 2021.

“It is important to note that any future upgrade works will be dependent on funding and Council priorities.”

For more information about Carly Hibberd Park, follow this link, call Council on 131 872 or email [e-mail].