New CBD lane a $1.6m boost to local economy
BUILDER Rick Taddio isn’t just happy to see the opening of the long-awaited Carnival Lane in the Toowoomba CBD, he’s also proud to know it was 100 per cent locally built.
The owner of Taddio Building Group and main contractor was all smiles at the launch of the new walkway and public space yesterday between Margaret and Annand Sts — a $1.6 million investment by the Toowoomba Regional Council.
The laneway, which features planter boxes, astroturf areas and historical photographs depicting its namesake the Carnival of Flowers, was created at the expense of an old building at 174 Margaret.
The property was bought by the TRC in 2016, with the intent of demolishing it to open up parking and shopping opportunities.
Mr Taddio said the design incorporated materials from the previous building before it was knocked down.
“We’ve really enjoyed this project, because it was both designed and constructed (locally),” he said.
“It took 12 weeks to get it all designed between having meetings with council and others.
“They also wanted to incorporate some of the old materials – a wall was made up of all the old floor joists.
“There were 25 suppliers but the whole workforce was about 50-60 people.”
Mayor Paul Antonio said it was just the start of the council’s plan to activate the city centre’s laneways more effectively.
“It’s a landmark and it will remain a landmark well into the future,” he said.
“It does allow ourselves to think into the future of what we’re going to do here in Annand St and beyond.
“This will allow consideration to be given towards more investment around this area. “
Environment and community chair Cr James O’Shea said there were both economic and community benefits that justified the amount spent on the project.
“The Toowoomba Regional Council’s investment in this is not only a practical one, but there’s a social one with this as well,” he said.
“There are a lot of levels where our community will see the value of projects like this, not only from a financial point of view, but a community perspective and also a historical point of view.”