Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) last week endorsed a submission to the Queensland Government’s 60 Day Independent Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Venue Master Plan Review in relation to the potential upgrade of the Toowoomba Sports Ground (Clive Berghofer Stadium).
As part of Queensland Premier Steven Miles’ 60-day review, being led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, TRC was asked to provide a submission on potential economic benefits resulting from an upgrade to Toowoomba Sports Ground.
TRC General Manager of Environment and Community Services Nick Hauser said while Council had decided at this week’s Ordinary Meeting to make a submission to the State Government on the potential project, any future decision on the upgrade proceeding sits firmly with the State.
“It is important for the community to understand that any upgrade to the Toowoomba Sports Ground will be a decision for the Queensland State Government who own and operate the venue and surrounding land,” Mr Hauser said.
“Council is not the decision-maker on the project proceeding or otherwise.”
Proposed changes include expanding the permanent spectator capacity at the ground from 2,4000 to 5,000 and an additional 10,000 temporary seats, a total capacity of 15,000.
Current plans have the Toowoomba Sports Ground as one of three venues in Queensland outside of the south-east corner to host football/soccer matches, alongside Townsville and Cairns.
North Queensland Stadium has a capacity of 25,000 and there are plans to increase the capacity of Barlow Park in Cairns from 16,700 to 20,000.
TRC’s submission to the 60-day review being led by Mr Quirk highlighted various economic benefits the Toowoomba region might gain should the State decide to proceed with an upgrade of the Toowoomba Sports Ground.
“Council’s submission will highlight what Council perceives as the potential legacy and economic benefits to the region should the Toowoomba Sports Ground be upgraded by the Queensland State Government,” Mr Hauser said.
“The submission focuses on a number of direct and indirect legacy opportunities that could come Toowoomba’s way should the State decide to upgrade their venue.
“The submission is completely separate to the State’s own Project Validation Report which is currently underway.”
The development of the Toowoomba Sports Ground into a larger stadium would cloud the future of the sporting clubs that use the surrounding land, namely the Toowoomba Bowls Club, Toowoomba Croquet Club and The Range Tennis Club.
Mr Hauser said as part of the review process, Council was also given the opportunity to highlight the Toowoomba Showgrounds and Equestrian Centre as a potential alternate Olympic and Paralympic Venue with the right investment by the State Government.
“Council has previously provided financial support for a business case, which has been completed, on the upgrade of the Showgrounds which could see it developed into the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre of Excellence,” he said.
TRC’s submission to the Queensland State Government has been presented and residents can find more information about the review process into Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venues here statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry/brisbane-2032
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, on 29 February 2024.
