Toowoomba Regional Council advances Sports Precinct project

Toowoomba Regional Council has released details of its plans to develop a regional sports precinct in the suburb of Charlton, advising that the project is being advanced to its detailed design phase.

Set to cost nearly $200 million over the next 20 years, the Council has endorsed the business case and master plan for its Toowoomba Region Sports Precinct (TRSP) which it will now seek to have the project identified with Local Government Infrastructure Designation by the Queensland Government to pave the way for future development at the site.

Toowoomba Regional Council’s Chair of the Environment and Community Committee, Councillor James O’Shea said the new sports precinct, to be delivered in multiple stages over many years, would meet the growing demand for sport and recreation facilities and help attract state and national sporting events.

Councillor O’Shea noted “an analysis of sports facility demand has shown there is a definite shortage of facilities to service the Region, with many facilities at and beyond capacity.

“We also don’t have a regional standard facility that can attract higher levels of competition. The TRSP will change all that.

“The precinct has been designed to provide a mix of high-quality indoor and outdoor fields, courts and facilities along with a district-level recreation park.

“The TRSP, on a site at Charlton next to the Toowoomba Bypass and fronting the Toowoomba Connection Road, is ideally located to make the best use of regional transport connections.

“The staged construction approach gives Council the flexibility to deliver individual stages in line with demand and available funding, independently of the other stages.”

Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Committee portfolio lead, Councillor Tim McMahon said the master plan provided for seven stages of precinct development over a 20-year period, noting “the seven stages of precinct development are estimated to cost about $197 million and Council will be looking at opportunities for external funding.

“The Region is renowned for producing sporting greats in individual and team pursuits and the precinct will cater for potential champions and those who just love playing sport at all levels of ability and all ages

“The TRSP will help to promote a healthy and active lifestyle and play a critical role in attracting major sporting and cultural events that promote the social and economic well-being of the wider region.”

Otium Planning Group has been the lead consultant with the Council on the precinct.

Otium Director Jason Leslie said in December he would like to see Clive Berghofer Stadium upgraded to ensure Toowoomba secured Olympic events in 2032.

Stage one will involve construction of rectangular fields and supporting clubhouse and parking facilities and construction of an access road.

Images show the concept (top) and aerial plan for the TRSP (below).