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Crows Nest offers an idyllic, safe and affordable country lifestyle, well suited to young families, retirees and first home buyers. Offering many amenities, a rich history, a vibrant art scene and boutique businesses, the town’s community spirit is thriving. Its picturesque location, relaxed rural atmosphere, and natural attractions all make Crows Nest a very desirable place to live. In the centre of the green in the town, is the statue of Jimmy Crow, after whom the town was named. Its streets are filled with striking old buildings that house antique shops, restaurants, cafés and galleries. The town has day care facilities, a primary school, secondary school, medical centre, a local library and Folk Museum & village. Sporting facilities include an indoor sports centre, swimming pool, golf course and two bowls clubs.
Crows Nest is located 44kms north-east of Toowoomba on the New England Highway. It is an easy commute to Toowoomba to access all the services of a major centre. Although located in the region defined as the Darling Downs, Crows Nest is situated 543 metres above sea level, atop the Great Dividing Range and as a result is set amongst rolling hills. Close by are four National Parks and three lakes (Cressbrook, Perseverance & Cooby). The vegetation ranges from open woodlands to forests including some rainforest areas. The district is known for its beautiful tall eucalypts with diverse wildlife including birdlife and rock wallabies. Crows Nest has a pleasant climate and natural beauty. A multitude of outdoor adventures are on offer such as bush walking, bird watching, tourist drives and bike, horse and soft 4WD trails.
Crows Nest had a population of 1,596 at the 2011 census date and services an estimated regional population of 3376 (2015), offering a mix of localised services, businesses and industry. There is a selection of retail shops, restaurants, and cafes. It has a butcher, bakery, supermarket, two banks, a produce store, newsagent, library and art gallery as well as arts and crafts outlets in and around the town. The highway passing through town offers great opportunities for passing trade.
More information on Crows Nest lifestyle, events and facilities can be found on the Crows Nest District Tourist and Progress Association Inc website
Crows Nest offers a kindergarten, childcare centre and a quality state education program from Prep to Year 10. Highfields is located a short 20 minute bus ride away where the Secondary College will take Year 12 students by 2019. Highfields has a state primary school and the Mary MacKillop Catholic College offers an educational program for Prep to Year 12 students. Two higher education institutions, the University of Southern Queensland and TAFE Queensland South West are located in Toowoomba, approximately 45 minutes’ drive.
Crows Nest is strategically positioned along the New England Highway with an average of 3000 vehicles passing through per day. With the town recently declaring motorcycle friendly status and seeking to become a recreational vehicle friendly town, Crows Nest is well suited to small and mid-size retail outlets, professional services, over 50s lifestyle living, tourism and manufacturing.
The town’s location on the crest of the Great Dividing Range naturally lends itself to adventure tourism with many nature-based activities already popular with local residents and visitors.
Crows Nest offers an enviable lifestyle at a budget price with increasing investment from residents looking to purchase a home, yet also have the freedom to travel.
The 2011 census identified the main industries in Crows Nest to be:
The workforce in Crows Nest comprises (2011 census results):
Toowoomba Regional Council has committed $3 million over three years to boost growth and investment in regional townships. The temporary economic development incentives offer significant infrastructure charge discounts to eligible industrial, business and residential developments in these areas. For more information or to check your eligibility, visit the township incentives article.
In 2015 a number of Community Growth Action Plans were developed.
Success for each community is best determined by the residents themselves, based on their aspirations, ideals and value systems. In order to better understand what these are, Council facilitated a number of meetings with community members to draw out what issues each town is facing, identify what the potential solutions and opportunities might be and to determine which ones should be focussed on as a priority. These have been documented in plans for five communities which can be found under the related documents section.
Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan
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