MPs slam under-funded budget
THE Labor Government has set its sights on winning back Toowoomba North after launching a spending spree in the electorate.
At least five new and existing projects were funded by Treasurer Curtis Pitt in yesterday’s state budget, including a $3.6 million new hall for Wilsonton State High School.
With a state election looming in the next year, the announcements appear to be enticers for voters living in north Toowoomba and Highfields.
But Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts slammed the funding, saying most of the project had not even been funded halfway.
“Last year, Kate Jones announced $5 million for Wilsonton School, and now that’s $3.6 million,” he said.
“The Highfields Stage 3 is an $11 million project and this only has $1.9 million allocated.
“The Highfields police station is a $2.8 million budget, but that’s post-financial year 2017-18, so that’s another 12 months.
“That wouldn’t even buy a quarter of a house in Highfields.”
Mr Watts welcomed funding to develop a business plan for a new Toowoomba Hospital and continued funding for the Second Range Crossing, but called the lack of support for flood mitigation works at two points on James St as a “missed opportunity”.
“The reality is this is something that just needs to be done – we know the LNP Government spent millions trying to protect our flood mitigation and these last two things need to serious investigation,” he said.
“From my initial thoughts, I think our region has missed out – a lot of talk, no action.
“I think there’s a missed opportunity in our region to do some serious planning – the black gold of the coal royalties has not reached our region.”
Toowoomba South, a generally safe LNP seat, enjoyed far fewer project announcements, except for funding for Centenary Heights State High School’s redevelopment.
MP David Janetzki said the lack of support for upgrades to Glenvale Rd near the primary school was disappointing.