Council endorses 2020 State Election Submission

Details Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 April 2021 15:12 Published: Thursday, 27 August 2020 10:08

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has endorsed a list of 21 projects under seven priority areas as part of their advocacy strategy in the lead up to the State Election.

TRC Mayor Paul Antonio said local governments are community builders.

"Few organisations deliver the range of services that we provide for our customers every day," Mayor Antonio said.

"The 2020 State Election Submission signals the regional priorities in the lead up to the October 31 election.

"The State Government has always been a significant investor in the Toowoomba Region.

"In the past financial year, Council has received more than $28 million in grants, subsidies and contributions from the state and federal governments.

"While Council is grateful for these contributions, it reinforces how dependent local government is on external funding.

"Our task, as a local government, is to provide the community's essential services in an economically responsible manner.

"Council believes that further investment by the State Government is vital to seize the wealth of opportunity before us.

"The projects included in the submission deliberately cover a broad range of both construction phases and funding level commitments.

Mayor Antonio said that for the next State Government term, our Region is advocating for investment in the following:

Priority - Water Security

Southern Regional Water Pipeline Perseverance Pipeline

Priority - Wastewater upgrades

Clifton Sewerage Treatment Plant Crows Nest Wastewater

Priority - Roads of regional significance

Bowenville-Moola Road and Dalby-Nungil Road Highfields CBD Road Upgrade Project Highfields/Gowrie Growth Area Connection

Priority - Flood mitigation upgrades

Neil Street Culvert Gowrie Creek Corridor Planning Study

Priority - Community facilities

Priority - Economic Development

Highfields Town Centre Infrastructure Development Railway Parklands PDA Railway Goods Shed Stage 2 Bridge Street Quarry Gardens Russell Street Streetscape

Priority - Regional Sustainability

New Toowoomba Hospital New State High School – Toowoomba West Growth Corridor Cooby Dam and Cressbrook Dam Spillway Upgrades Toowoomba Showgrounds sustainability Asset Sustainability Ratio (ASR) Change Fast Rail – Brisbane to Toowoomba

"This wide range of projects allows political candidates significant scope in lobbying their organisations for funding announcements during a campaign," Mayor Antonio said.

"Local government cannot be left to shoulder the full cost of providing essential infrastructure to our growing communities in addition to meeting residents' expectations across our other activities.

"The priority projects in this submission will enhance the Toowoomba Region's economic strength and improve the lifestyle of our residents as our community moves into an exciting new chapter.

"We are a resilient Region. We have rebuilt after floods, fire, severe drought, and we will again after COVID-19.

"The best years are ahead of us and working together; we can rebuild our Region.

"Toowoomba Regional Council looks forward to working with the next Parliament of Queensland to make our Region an even better place to live, work and play."

For more information on the 2020 State Election Submission, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/advocacy.