New picnic facilities for rest area in Texas CBD

New picnic facilities will soon be available at the Avon Street rest area in Texas, with the installation of two new picnic shelters and the replacement of current tables and chairs scheduled to take place early next month.

The site is just off the Texas High Street and is a popular rest area for both locals and visitors to the town, with a grassed area and public toilets available opposite the Memorial Hall. There is also casual parking available for caravans.

Goondiwindi Regional Council has allocated $20,000 of the State Government's 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland (W4Q) program funding to the project.

Speaking during his visit to Texas today, Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said the project would be yet another boost for the town’s growing popularity with visitors.

“Texas is becoming increasingly popular with visitors and has a solid reputation as a great place to visit," the Mayor said. “Both Council and the community have invested significantly in growing the tourism sector in Texas over the past few years.

“The new picnic facilities at Avon Street further demonstrate Council’s support of domestic tourism in the Goondiwindi region,” Cr Springborg said. “We’re encouraging visitors to explore what our local towns have to offer and to stay an extra night.”

Texas is recognised as an 'RV Friendly Town™' by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA). Towns must meet a list of strict criteria to gain and keep their accreditation, including the provision of short-term low-cost overnight parking for self-contained recreational vehicles within a reasonable distance to the CBD.

The Avon Street project will additionally complement the construction of a new footpath to connect the popular Dumaresq River rest area to the Texas CBD, which Council announced in October. The project aims to encourage visitors to walk into town and support local tourism operators and other businesses.

Cr Springborg also said the new facilities would complement Council’s suite of park upgrades scheduled for this financial year.

“Council has committed $2 million this year to maintain and upgrade parks and gardens across the region, which will include equipment upgrades and new facilities such as the Avon Street picnic shelters,” he said.

“The new picnic facilities will be ideally located in the heart of the Texas CBD, making it a popular and convenient spot for local residents and their families to enjoy.”

Work is scheduled to begin at the rest area in early December and is expected to take around two weeks to complete. Council will engage local contractors to install the picnic shelters.

L to R: Interstate traveller Ken King with Jazzy the dog, The Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM, Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council, Interstate traveller Elaine King, Cr Rob Mackenzie, Deputy Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council