2018 set to be a huge year for Toowoomba

AS 2017 comes to a close and Santa is soon to arrive, I pause to reflect on the year just past.

It’s been an interesting year to say the least.

While Toowoomba continues to be one of the leading lights in Australia for growth, diversity and opportunity, there is little doubt that many in our community have done it tough.

Retail has been tough, and margins for commercial work have been skinny.

All of these things combined with the cost of living increases (think electricity) mean that there have been a number of people and industries that have been doing it tough.

Toowoomba is still a big old country town and I’m proud of that.

I love the fact that our rural friends see Toowoomba as their go-to centre for shopping, financial services, education and of course health.

I love our attitude of getting stuck in and having a crack. I am glad that a handshake is as good as a contract, and that you can always rely on your neighbour to lend a helping hand.

I know every community boasts this but we seem to be especially lucky.

Then again, I am a firm believer in the age-old adage .... the harder you work, the luckier you get.

What do I make of 2018? Construction will start on more renewable projects and there will be lots of activity in the “business as usual” phase from the existing gas projects.

When it comes to the rural sector, let’s hope with recent rain that we have good subsoil moisture and storage to make sure we have bumper harvests in wheat, cotton and pulses.

I do expect that we will also continue to see our wider region grow with intensive agriculture becoming an increasing focus.

From Toowoomba to Roma, we live in the best part of the world.

There is no region that has as much going for it as we do at the moment.

Merry Christmas to all. I trust you have made the “nice” list and there will be something under the tree for you this Christmas – I suspect you have deserved it.

As the pages in this newspaper would attest, it’s been a huge year.

Thanks to editor-in-chief Steve Etwell and his stellar team at The Chronicle for covering TSBE’s news and endeavours, and continuing to print my ramblings throughout the year.

Have a great festive period and bring on 2018!

❝every I know community boasts this but we seem to be especially lucky.