What’s Happening?
Toowoomba Regional Council is inviting Highfields residents to help shape the future of McLachlan Drive Park as planning begins for a major upgrade.
Council is developing a concept plan that could guide the park’s transformation into a District Recreation Park, creating more space for play, exercise and community activities.
Residents are now being asked which facilities and features they believe should be included before the concept plan takes shape.
Why It Matters
Highfields continues to grow, and Council says local recreation spaces need to keep pace with the community.
TRC Parks and Recreation Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Tim McMahon said McLachlan Drive Park had strong potential to become a more useful community space.
“McLachlan Drive Park has plenty of potential and we want the community to help us unlock it,” Cr McMahon said.
He said Council wanted to create a park where families could play, exercise, walk, ride, gather for a barbecue or simply relax.
“We want to create a park where you can bring the kids for a play, kick a ball, go for a walk or ride, fire up a barbecue or just find a shady spot and relax. There’s an opportunity to make this a fantastic community space for Highfields, but before we start drawing lines on a plan, we want to hear from the people who’ll actually use it. Highfields is growing and we need to make sure the community spaces people use every day are growing with it.”
Local Impact
The proposed upgrade could significantly broaden how residents use McLachlan Drive Park. Possible additions include play and exercise areas, picnic shelters, barbecues and walking and cycling paths.
Council is also considering toilets, seating, trees, landscaping, lighting and car parking as part of the future concept.
Together, the proposed facilities could give Highfields families, walkers, cyclists and community groups more options within one local recreation space.
By The Numbers
- 17 October: Council will hold a community pop-up session at McLachlan Drive Park on Saturday, giving residents a chance to speak directly with staff.
- 9am to 11am: The two-hour session will allow locals to share ideas about the facilities and features they want included.
- 25 October: Online consultation will remain open until Sunday, giving residents more time to submit feedback if they cannot attend in person.
Zoom In
Community feedback will play a major role in deciding which features are prioritised as Council develops the concept plan. Cr McMahon said the aim was to create a park that reflected how Highfields residents actually wanted to use the space.
“We’ve got a great opportunity here to create something that really works for Highfields, so jump online, share your ideas and help us shape the future of McLachlan Drive Park.”
The consultation gives residents an early say before detailed planning begins, rather than asking for feedback after decisions have already been made.
Zoom Out
The McLachlan Drive Park proposal forms part of a broader need for community infrastructure to keep pace with Highfields’ continued growth.
Upgrading the site to a District Recreation Park could allow it to support a wider mix of activities and serve more residents throughout the area. Rather than focusing on one type of recreation, the concept could bring together play spaces, exercise facilities, paths and social areas in one location.
What To Look For Next?
Residents will have two ways to help shape the concept before consultation closes. Council staff will be at McLachlan Drive Park on Saturday, 17 October from 9am to 11am to hear feedback directly from the community.
Online submissions will also remain open until Sunday, 25 October 2026. Feedback collected during the consultation will help Council determine which facilities should receive priority as the future concept plan develops.
Residents can have their say online.