March 26, 2018
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio believes Toowoomba’s regional economy is in great shape.
Last Thursday night the Mayor delivered his annual State of the Region address to a crowd of more than 200 at the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Regional Enterprises evening.
“Our strength as a region is our diversity,” Mayor Antonio said.
“We are not dependent on any one industry for our survival, and that is why the economic indicators are all looking healthy.”
Mayor Antonio said Toowoomba’s unemployment is sitting under both the state and national average at 5.23 per cent (national 5.5 per cent; state 5.9 per cent).
In addition, Toowoomba’s Gross Regional Product had increased by 3.6 per cent over the previous 12 months to $9.8 billion.
“We are being buoyed by the remarkable investment opportunities coming our way,” the Mayor said.
“Our Toowoomba Region together with the Darling Downs is an economic powerhouse.
“We have some of the best agricultural land in Australia and our region is a major coal seam gas service hub.
“We are fast becoming a major transport and logistics hub, and are developing as an innovator in communications.”
Mayor Antonio said the Toowoomba Regional Council is and must always be the strongest voice for the region.
“As Mayor, I am always advocating to all levels of government and the private sector the benefits of developing projects in our area.
“Infrastructure will be the enabler of productivity and economic growth for our region.
“Our region will need further investment to keep up with our growing importance as a transport and logistics hub.”
Mayor Antonio also said attention needs to be paid to rail infrastructure outside of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project.
He also thought the State and Federal Governments should support the expansion of New Hope’s Acland Coal Mine to preserve jobs.
The full text of Mayor Antonio’s address can be found online
