COUNCIL CUTS CBD PROGRAM

A TIGHTENING of the Toowoomba CBD vacancy rate and unwilling or uncontactable landlords were some of the reasons behind the discontinuation of an innovative creative business program trial.

The project, which was launched last year by the Toowoomba Regional Council in partnership with Renew Australia, gave small creative start-ups the opportunity to enter into short-term licenses with landlords to grow their businesses and fill vacant shopfronts in the CBD.

Successful applicants included the Alexandra Lawson Gallery at Walton Stores and Rare Squid Creative.

But council’s principal economic development officer Shamus Garmany said the program encountered several “challenges” to its continuation.

Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff said the program was “admirable”, encouraging the council to consider new ways to support creatives.

PROGRAM ENDED: Dr Alexandra Lawson’s new gallery was one of the successful applicants from the Creative CBD pilot program.