Park step towards Parklands

Focus now on railway PDA area

THE Toowoomba Regional Council is pushing ahead with its plans to develop the Railway Parklands project with a multi-million dollar funding injection for key works.

Mayor Paul Antonio, in opening Cathro Park on Ruthven St, said the parklands, identified as a priority development area in 2014, was the next step in the city’s master plan.

A combined $6.27 million was announced for the project as well as water infrastructure services for the Wellcamp industrial precinct, of which the council funded $3.28 million.

“It’s part of our long-term plan here to have connectivity to what we believe will be quite an iconic parkland through Cathro Park to Queens Park,” Cr Antonio said.

“That will enhance the liveability of Toowoomba generally.”

The Toowoomba Railway Parklands was declared a priority development area in 2014, with the first stage identified as the Railway

Goods Shed.

The $10 million project will transform the 120-year-old heritage listed shed into a shared precinct with a tentative completion date of May, 2018.

The $50 million project covers 51.3 hectares and is bordered by Ruthven, Mort, Bridge and Russell Sts.

Cr Antonio said the northern end of Ruthven St, between Russell St and Chalk Dr, was part of the larger council’s master plan to reinvigorate the CBD.

The council last year

bought at auction a two-storey building on Margaret St to be demolished as part of a long-term view to open the CBD street with the growing Walton Stores precinct similar to Kwong-Sang Walk on Ruthven St.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” Cr Antonio said.

“Also, the street scape will be done up, given time, in Russell St to make that more ‘CBD-ish’.”

The council yesterday officially opened the northern end of Ruthven St

which included the installation of new street art and increased parking areas Cr Antonio said would deliver a boost to retailers in the area.

“The look and feel of the CBD has been extended to Chalk Dr with the inclusion of the centre median parking with a total of 21 extra car parks, newly paved footpaths, landscaping and upgrading of many services including underground power,” he said.

“Council has also improved safety to motorists

and pedestrians with the change of 40kmh speed limit and covered pedestrian

crossing, and extending the City Safe camera network for security.”

PHOTO: BEV LACEY GOOD MOVE: State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham (left) congratulates Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio at the Cathro Park opening.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED MOVING FORWARD: Works are progressing on the Railway Parklands which covers 51.3 hectares.