$350 million plan open for discussion

BUSINESS owners and residents today have their chance to join Workwear Discounts owner Bernie Baz in having a say on a massive shopping centre development in Toowoomba’s CBD.

Toowoomba Regional Council is calling for submissions on QIC’s $350 million plans to redevelop Grand Central and Gardentown Shopping Centres, including the construction of a retail bridge between the two properties.

The application, which can be viewed on council’s website or obtained from the assessment manager, also involves an expansion of about 30,000 square metres of additional floor space.

Mr Baz said he had contacted council with his concerns shortly after the development application was lodged in March.

“Our concerns are about traffic and trucks and how they are going to affect traffic flow in the CBD,” Mr Baz said.

“We would like to see a plan of how the works are going to be progressed.”

He said an outline of when the works would take place would help other CBD businesses to manage any disruptions the

We would like to see a plan of how the works are going to be progressed.

— Bernie Baz

building process might cause.

However, he said the project would be beneficial to the CBD in the long term.

“It will give businesses like us the chance to attract more customers.”

The comment period will be open from today until September 28.