News
28 January, 2025
Toogoolawah’s new $5.2M centre
Toogoolawah is set to get a new Gateway Centre by June 2027, which will cost about $5.2 million, jointly funded by Somerset Council and the Australian Government, through the Thriving Suburbs Program.
The Australian Government will be contributing $3.7 million, with Somerset Regional Council contributing around $1.5 million.
The Toogoolawah Gateway Centre will include a newer, larger library, rooms for visiting health professionals, and facilities for Brisbane Valley Rail Trail users.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Council was acutely aware of Toogoolawah’s need for more health providers.
“Toogoolawah is a disadvantaged community with almost no public transport and few medical services,” Cr Wendt said. “It’s projected more than 1,800 people per year who would not otherwise see a health professional and more than 2,000 people per year who would otherwise travel for health care will use the Toogoolawah Gateway Centre’s visiting health professionals."
“Through this project, we will convert the current 84sqm Toogoolawah Library into a wellness hub with additional rooms for visiting health professionals. This project will help fill a major services gap for Toogoolawah, and I look forward to its delivery.”
The centre, to be built on Council land at the southern end of Cressbrook Street, will be 311sqm and will have a 26-space carpark.
“Building a bigger and better Library is also a huge win for Toogoolawah,” Cr Wendt said. “We thank the community for their support in shaping this project.”
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said the project would keep community members connected, enrich quality of life, and enhance social inclusion.
“The Thriving Suburbs Program is making local priority projects a reality, and I look forward to seeing the significant benefits this funding will provide for our community,” he said.
“I’m thrilled to see this funding flowing to the long-called-for Toogoolawah Gateway Centre to take it off the drawing board and make it a reality.”
The project joins the Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails (MGRHT) project in the federal funding, with MGRHT having received nearly $1.5 million, with Council contributing around $600,000.
