Vital Stormwater Infrastructure Officially Opened

Vital stormwater infrastructure is now in place with the opening of Toowoomba’s $4.6 million Charlton North Detention Basin.

The project has been jointly funded by the Toowoomba Regional Council and a $2.78 million grant under the Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP).

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Linda Reynolds, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said projects such as this aim to reduce the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters and build community resilience.

“Queensland is one of the most disaster affected states in Australia and it’s important that communities can build resilience in ways that are most suited to their region,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said. 

“This project is a great example of all levels of government working together to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on communities.”

Queensland Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe, together with the Hon Dr John McVeigh representing the Australian Government and Toowoomba Mayor, Paul Antonio officially opened the stormwater management and flood mitigation basin today.

“While this region is in the grip of drought, we know that Mother Nature can be unpredictable. That is why it is important that projects such as this stormwater detention basin are built and in place when disaster strikes,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This detention basin will slow and capture floodwaters that would otherwise cut off the main road to the northern area of the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub, the economic powerhouse of the growing region.

“In addition to creating or supporting around 100 jobs during construction, when fully developed this key logistics Hub has the potential to provide up to 12,000 jobs and could increase Toowoomba Region’s Gross Regional Product by $2.1 billion.”

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said the completion of the project was a major milestone for Toowoomba.

“Our region is becoming a key logistics hub and the expansion of the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub will drive economic growth and create jobs,” Mayor Antonio said.

“The Charlton North Detention Basin project will complement the Nass Road upgrade project which includes a road upgrade, drainage and water infrastructure that will service the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub.”

The project includes earthworks, upstream protection works and landscaping to flood-proof the northern area of the Hub.

The Toowoomba Enterprise Hub is an almost 2,000-hectare industrial zone, 13 kilometres west of Toowoomba. It is the largest zoned industrial area in Queensland west of the Great Dividing Range.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Minister Hinchliffe: 0417 296 116

Mayor Antonio: 0427 680 290

Assistant Minister Reynolds: 0438 990 768