Community praise after major project

TOOWOOMBA Mayor Paul Antonio said he was pleased Goggs St and the adjacent West Ck channel area were open for people to use.

“First of all, I would like to thank the community for their patience,” Cr Antonio said.

“Special thanks are due to the businesses on Goggs, Tointon, Kenric, Clifford and Prescott Sts and along the West Creek Channel for working with the project team while the works were being delivered.

“This has been a complicated project with significant work underground and in the channel, requiring a great deal of excavation and heavy vehicle movements.

“The local businesses should be commended for remaining patient while these critical flood recovery works were being built.”

Cr Antonio said the main feature of the work was to install a new stormwater network under Goggs St, linking to pipes installed at Kenric St to flow through to the West Ck channel, which also was widened.

“This project has a long list of benefits for residents and businesses and the wider community,” he said.

“The West Ck project will assist in providing flood mitigation for up to a one in 100-year storm event.

“There also are other benefits, including new road surfacing, driveway, kerb and channel and footpaths for sections of Goggs Street.”

Cr Antonio said opening up of the channel and installation of a new footbridge and footpaths would reactivate this area of Toowoomba.

“People walking between Goggs St and the Police Citizen’s Youth Club have easy access across the new footbridge,” he said.

“The cycling and walking paths also connect the area to the south, from Clewley Park, towards Herries St and the centre of Toowoomba.

“Whether you are taking a walk or riding a bike, this is an attractive area to travel through.”

Cr Antonio said project team members provided regular work updates via flyers and the website, particularly concerning road closures and work details, to all business owners and surrounding residents during the entire project.

Team members also made regular visits to businesses to personally speak with owners.

Acting Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cr Chris Tait said the completion of the works was another big step in council delivering its flood recovery program for Toowoomba.

“Council is proud to have secured flood recovery money to improve safety and protect the vital infrastructure of Toowoomba,” Cr Tait said.

“We have other projects completed or under way on the East and West Creeks and in the centre of town, including the Outer Circulating Road project.

“We also have projects under way across the region, including the flood early warning system for Oakey.”