July 22, 2021
Toowoomba’s CBD may take on a brighter, more inviting look in future after Toowoomba Regional Council voted to develop a lighting strategy to enhance the night-time experience.
At Tuesday’s Ordinary Meeting, Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said it was important to encourage more people into the CBD, as well as increase overall safety.
“There is a community desire for greater aesthetic lighting to enhance the Toowoomba’s CBD, help bring people together and support a vibrant night-time economy,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.
“It’s about atmosphere, occasion and safety.”
She said a lighting strategy would increase safety and night-time patronage, as well as showcase Toowoomba’s unique heritage buildings, bridges, blank walls and landscapes.
“This would create a new dimension to the city experience and also ties in with our Laneway Strategy, which forms part of our City Centre Masterplan,” she said.
“The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this concept and there is already infrastructure in the CBD that could be utilised to support the delivery of aesthetic lighting.
“The LIT Festival and the Rowes projections demonstrate that there is community and private sector support for innovative lighting solutions in the Toowoomba CBD.”
Cr O’Hara Sullivan stressed that any lighting solution would also need to be sustainable and energy efficient.
Councillors voted unanimously to proceed with the lighting strategy plan.
