Workshop explores garden concept

WHAT A privilege it was to hear from international garden and tourism experts at the Friends of the Quarry Gardens workshop here in Toowoomba last week.

Inspiration is an understatement. Listening to presentations from founders of the Whangarei Quarry Gardens in New Zealand and Singapore’s “Gardens By The Bay” showcased what could potentially be achieved right here in Toowoomba. Two completely different projects but both driven by communities fuelled by a vision, commitment and determination to succeed.

Our local Friends of the Quarry Gardens did a great job in organising the workshop and were supported by the Department of State Development to bring these experts to town to assist us by sharing their own learnings and experiences to help our community to plan and move forward with Toowoomba’s proposed Quarry Gardens and escarpment development project.

Logan Invest and the Southbank Corporation was also on hand at the workshop to share their insights and potential investment and governance models for the project. The international guests toured the quarry location and were impressed by the sheer potential and beauty of the site.

Our visitors had a clear message, “just do it”, citing economic and community benefits they had experienced in their communities from their garden developments ranging from increased visitors to town, improved health and well-being of their residents and environmental benefits.

Toowoomba Regional Council is currently conducting a $250,000 Bridge Street Quarry Redevelopment Feasibility Study, funded by the State Government. Councillor Nancy Sommerfield, the only councillor in attendance at the workshop, now has the difficult job of sharing the workshop visions and learnings with the rest of council as they deliberate on the results of the feasibility study expected in the next month or two.

The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Friends of the Quarry Gardens on bringing this sensational workshop and global expertise to our community and thanks the Department of State Development for supporting this visionary project.

Check our website toowoomba chamber.com.au for further info or to book for our next event.