Community consultation begins today in Toowoomba, focused on delivering a World Athletics Level 2 accredited athletics track, providing a high-quality regional facility to support local athletics clubs, schools and community sport while also creating a pathway for young athletes aspiring to compete on the national and international stage.

The Government is investing $1 million through the Games On! program to develop a comprehensive business case for the proposed athletics precinct.

Several sites across the campus have been assessed against key criteria including planning constraints, environmental impacts, existing infrastructure, traffic and parking, accessibility, athletics track orientation, and opportunities to leverage existing sporting facilities.

Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the development of this project ensured the Darling Downs region shared in the benefits of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games far beyond the four weeks of sport.

"As the largest inland city in Queensland, Toowoomba has a proud sporting tradition, and this proposed athletics precinct at University of South Queensland’s Toowoomba campus has the potential to create lasting benefits for local athletes, schools, clubs and the wider community,” Treasurer Janetzi said.

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said community engagement was a vital part of delivering quality sporting infrastructure. "We are delivering a Games for all of Queensland and projects like this demonstrate how the Games On! is supporting communities to plan for the future and build the sporting infrastructure Queensland needs in the lead-up to and beyond 2032."