Parklands for program
TRC offers precinct for new fund
TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has put forward the second stage of the Railway Parklands development to the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
The $270 million funding scheme, announced by Groom MP John McVeigh in March, has asked to hear about projects in regional Australia that were worth at least $20 million.
The council put forward the second stage of the Railway Parkland construction before the cut-off date of April 27.
A panel will now assess all applications and select those it wants business cases for, before selecting the winning projects later this year.
Successful projects will need to be already-half funded by another source before the Government can offer the other half.
The news comes after construction to redevelop the Toowoomba’s historic Railway Goods Shed started this week.
Toowoomba contractor Newlands Group officially took over the site this week to start the $10 million project.
Mayor Paul Antonio said the contract for the rectification, construction and fitout works were expected to be finished later this year.
“The State Heritage-listed Railway Goods Shed is an iconic building which played an important role in the development of the city and the region,” he said.
“The rectification works will help to revitalise the historic link to the city’s railway heritage.
“The first stage of works are expected to be completed in November, weather and building conditions permitting.
“Initial work, including temporary propping and asbestos removal to make the Railway Goods Shed structure safe was completed late last year, paving the way for these rectification works.”
Cr Antonio said works would cover repairs to the shed structure including the heritage fabric, installation of services to the site, provision of car parking and minimal fitout work.