CBD visitors, parking on group’s agenda

TOOWOOMBA’s newest CBD discussion group has highlighted parking, public toilets and movability as key issues the city needs to address.

The CBD Focus Group, which includes CBD business owners, real estate agents, marketing experts, council staff and politicians, held its first meeting last Monday.

City Heart Group president Gary Wilson is the chair, and said the forum was established to speed up the development of the CBD into a thriving hub.

“How do we best work together to make sure everyone gets a share of the pie, and how does a CBD support and help the community?” he said.

“We want people to get into the CBD, so we’re trying to have a conversation about it.

“There are a lot of things that we need to deliver.”

Along with obvious problems like the lack of parking, Mr Wilson said the job for the council, landlords and business owners was to create a district that encouraged visitors and residents to explore the CBD.

“We think the city has lost a lot of its energy, and the dynamics have shifted,” he said.

One suggestion, which hasn’t been endorsed yet, was the possible demolition of 174 Margaret St next to the Tatts Hotel, in a bid to open up Annand St .

The council takes control of the building in August, making the idea possible.

But whatever the ideas were, Mr Wilson said the best ones would open up the CBD to make it a destination rather than an inconvenience.

“At the end of the day, we want people to be able move around freely and explore,” he said.