Mayor spreads Region’s good news story at Tamworth Summit

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio will spread the news of the Region’s economic success as a guest speaker at the inaugural Tamworth Regional Business Summit this week.

The Mayor will speak about growth, progress and development of Toowoomba Region at the summit hosted by the Tamworth Business Chamber.

Mayor Antonio said forum’s like this highlight the reputation our Toowoomba Region has as an economic powerhouse of regional Australia.

“Other communities are starting taking notice of our region’s success and asking about what we are doing so right, Mayor Antonio said.

 “Toowoomba Region is one of the most productive agricultural areas in Australia, with an internationally capable airport, tremendous road connectivity and the potential of a soon to be constructed national rail line, making it ready for trade and investment.

“However, with all this economic success we still pride ourselves on being a friendly and liveable city, making it a great place to set up business, and a wonderful place to enjoy a unique, safe and high quality education.

“As a Council, we are providing a fertile environment for attracting multi-billion dollar investments from federal, state government and private investment.

“The last 7 years of infrastructure development has been so strong that our Council is already reviewing our planning scheme to keep up with the growth.

“You can see this in last year’s the Gross Regional Product result for Toowoomba Region having risen over $10 billion for the first time having grown 4.5% in the previous 12 months.

“Toowoomba Region is turning into a major transport and logistics hub, with our traditional agricultural industry complementing new transport and infrastructure developments.

“We are at the junction of three major highways and our region is within 24 hours drive of more than 85% of the nation’s population.

“With the construction of the brand new internationally capable Wellcamp airport, we are just a 12-hour flight to 50% of the world’s population. 

“Our region will also see the construction of the QANTAS Pilot Academy.

“Around 60% of the goods that go into the port of Brisbane come from Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

“This year we will see the official opening of the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

“We are fortunate to live in a time when we will see a new major regional rail freight project, Inland Rail, built through our back yard.

“Our region will see the largest Inland Rail project with a $5 billion rail tunnel.

“The development of a business case is also underway for a Brisbane to Toowoomba passenger rail link.

“There is real opportunity to leverage the road, rail and air infrastructure investment in the region to grow freight and warehousing related businesses.

“The economic impacts and community benefits that entrepreneurial investment brings to the region, particularly in AgTech, will put Toowoomba Region at the cutting edge of future employment opportunities.

“The University of Southern Queensland’s announcement to open a $16 million state of the art Agricultural Science and Engineering precinct will only enhance our Agtech reputation, Mayor Antonio said.

“Our Region is also becoming a communications hub with the recent construction of the only accredited Tier III (three) data centre outside an Australian capital city.

“We are also fortunate to have a tremendous availability of industrial, commercial and residential land and we are always on the lookout for investors to unlock its potential.

Mayor Antonio said that the Tamworth Regional Business Summit provides the ideal opportunity to share our success and sell the benefits of investing in the Toowoomba Region.

For more information about the Tamworth Business Regional Business Summit go to https://www.tamworthregionalbusinesssummit.com/