CBD Master Plan

INTERESTING to have a 2020 rendition of Master Plan of the CBD discussed by Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Todd Rohl.

These comments seem to continue year after year, decade after decade it’s just the name of the CEO that changes.

As a long time resident of Toowoomba, through a time when the CBD was the heart of life to our community and this was possibly in the 1970s-1980s and certainly prior to this time … when there were no options as shopping centres in the suburbs didn’t exist – we all loved our corner stores!

The CBD had Baileys, Pigotts, Coles, Woolworths (all in the block between Margaret and Russell Sts), multiple retail outlets, cafes, co-operative stores, and as many banks as there were hotels, with very few empty properties. Now look at Margaret Street to Neil Streets!

The local buses pulled up along this area in many locations and residents found this to be a meeting place, as well as a shopping precinct.

Mr Rohl, comments about history and the homes above small businesses and entertainment in the CBD – well with my very active mind – I cannot remember this being in place for over 60 years.

And if this idea has merit, why have we not seen our progressive developers take the lead and explore this possibility.

Yes, living in a CBD does generate new life and business opportunities.

City dwellers in capital cities with large populations make it work well and suit the lifestyle … let’s see where this works for our CBD in 2020.

It may be a time to dream big and active now – but developers need to have confidence to know there will be a return on their investments also.

And Mr Rohl, the questions noted have all been asked before – check your records of the past 6 CEOs and what has the outcome been. Love the CBD – but will wait with interest until the next CEO

has comments! Barb McGovern, Toowoomba