Toowoomba’s escarpment parks are set to be transformed with the commencement of a $7.4 million upgrade, including the region’s first sensory trail at JE Duggan Park.
State Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe announced the upgrades. “These parks navigate through the beautiful Great Dividing Range which is an amazing feature of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Regional Council areas,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “The Toowoomba Escarpment Parks Upgrades will enhance connectivity and active usage from all members of the Toowoomba community through new and upgraded multi-use interconnected trails. The JE Duggan park will be Toowoomba’s first “all-abilities” trail with interpretive signage in braille describing the area and the history. There will also be rope trails to enable people with visual impairment to navigate the fully sealed, wheelchair-accessible pathways.”
The trail consists of three small bush walks which are ideal for walking with children and those less mobile, with great scenery and views east over the Great Dividing Range, including Table Top Mountain. It will include the Picnic Point Parklands, Redwood, Jubilee, McKnight, JE Duggan and Glen Lomond parks, and the Tabletop Bushland Reserve.
Visiting Toowoomba, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government had contributed $2.71 million from the Building our Regions fund, with $4.46 million from Toowoomba Regional Council and $218,000 from Lockyer Valley Regional Council.
Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Chairman Councillor Geoff McDonald said the upgrades will help make the most of the Great Dividing Range’s spectacular scenery. “Covering around eight hectares, this park is a forest regeneration site where a natural eucalypt forest has been encouraged to develop and as part of this upgrade, we’ll be planting more trees,” Cr McDonald said. “Many tourists visit our region seeking new nature and adventure opportunities, and thanks to the Queensland Government’s funding we can continue to attract new visitors,” the councillor continued.
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