Recently, thanks to a Toowoomba Regional council initiative, I got to focus on the great potential of CBD opportunity.
I had the honour to remind members of the Property Council of Australia, that Toowoomba is uniquely placed as the gateway to the west and with over 5 million customers to the east, so why would you not invest in Toowoomba and its businesses.
I got to share my view that we are a regional city like no other, and the land of opportunity.
How to harness that CBD Opportunity
And the Toowoomba Chamber’s goal, with the wise inputs from our CBD Revitalisation Advisory Group is to do what we can to make the CBD be known as a destination for locals and visitors, that enables business to thrive.
The CBD is the heart of the region. It should be a community gathering space. It will adapt and change. Sometimes the need for change will be sprung upon us, sometimes it will be serendipitous and sometimes planned. And these different change models sometimes require a quick and immediate response and other times a more methodical approach will be essential.
Regardless, we know, that living spaces like a CBD need to respond rapidly to the rhythm of people’s preferences for living, entertainment, and interaction.
Toowoomba’s CBD is rich in history. Its heritage and physical composition comprised of an intricate layered network of streets and laneways create an unbelievable canvas to deliver unique experiences and build dreams.
In the broad sense, three key priorities must be focused on. These are how we activate the CBD to increase foot traffic, celebrate and promote the CBD as an individual brand locally, nationally and internationally and we must continue to invest in public infrastructure.
Today, we see the current public investment in the transformation of Russell Street and the announcement of public funding for the Parklands, and the enormous business investment in new developments, in upgrading heritage buildings, and activation through heritage walks and the like. Combine this with CBD brand campaigns, the ultimate lighting up of the CBD or the promotion of the CBD as an event destination and investment hub. There is no doubt, that much great work has been done.
But just imagine, what a destination it would be with a big vision that included the location of a 25,000-seat stadium and a convention centre to attract national and international events. Imagine, greater connectivity between the region’s townships and the CBD, light rail linking Baillie Henderson Hospital, the CBD and UniSQ and the Queensland capital just a short 45 minute rail trip. Then, imagine the creation of a 24/7 CBD community with new housing, and close by tourism destinations like the Quarry Gardens and a new, fit-for-purpose, Regional Art Facility.
As expressed to the Property Council of Australia the Toowoomba CBD opportunities are endless. But like any heart, it needs our constant focus and attention to keep it activated, alive and wanting us to visit it. And most importantly, this is essential to enable our local CBD businesses to grow and thrive.
