PT03-19/20 Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout Construction

Summary and scope

Council is delivering the Toowoomba Escarpment Parks Upgrades project which includes a series of collocated economic development projects associated with nature based, outdoor recreation and tourism facilities across Toowoomba’s escarpment parks. Council is now delivering the Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout works, located within Tobruk Memorial Drive Park. Tobruk Memorial Drive Park is on the edge of the Great Dividing Range in east Toowoomba. The park is part of the heritage listed Picnic Point Parklands and has scenic views taking in Tabletop Mountain. Tobruk Memorial Drive is a one-way loop road within Tobruk Memorial Drive Park. The drive includes a central car park. The park includes picnic areas set amongst the bushland and the Pardalote Walk, a trail between Picnic Point and Tabletop Drive. The park is popular for walking, picnicking and passive relaxation. Visitors reach the park by vehicle and on foot. The park previously included the ‘Bob Dodd’ lookout at the eastern end of Tobruk Memorial Drive. This former lookout was on the Pardalote Walk and included a small layby area for cars. The lookout was removed in 2016 due to safety concerns. This new lookout will replace the void. In July 2017, Toowoomba Regional Council undertook an ideas competition to invite innovative concept designs to establish a new iconic lookout and surrounds. Competition entries were to provide opportunities to take in the scenic views, to consider how the lookout linked to other park areas, to create different viewing opportunities and to produce an iconic Toowoomba landmark. Three prizes were awarded with the winning entry submitted by Arup. The Arup entry proposed three lookout elements with connecting paths and soft landscape treatments. Detailed design based on the Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout Arup concept has now been completed and ready for construction.