What is happening at the Foundry site?
HAVING seen the full development plan for the Toowoomba Foundry site, I am left wondering why the renovation works on the office block and the Interpretative Centre (Museum) has seemingly stopped.
Now that Bunnings is operational and generating revenue why is the planned history wall and interpretive centre development now sitting idle?
After supporting thousands of employees over 141 years surely the museum is both a potential tourist attraction and an item of significance heritage value.
It could direct tourists to both the Highfields Pioneer Park and the Cobb and Co Museum with its planned connection to the proposed Railway Parklands development and its future visitors.
Hundreds and possibly thousands of millions of dollars have been poured into the local community over the Foundry’s lifetime and in excess of $20m per year was being contributed locally in the years preceding its unnecessary and unprincipled closure.
What is the delay? DOUG HARLAND, Toowoomba
IWD BREAKFAST
THE women of Toowoomba and friends had the opportunity for International Women’s Day to be inspired with some reality and sensitive comments during the day of celebration when Rebecca Vonhoff, recognised journalist and local family woman, took to the podium.
Rebecca shared her story on her life around the world contributing to the news of the day in newsrooms in many countries from Australia, Canada and Germany as well as her role as wife and mother.
She took a lead for women and where women need to take a stand and fear not, to share their stories and make change with cultures that are essential in our community.
Her comments covered the unique conservatism of Toowoomba in business, community and what is perhaps the elitist club culture. Yes Toowoomba it is here.
She applauded the young women of today and believes we are in good hands into the future to have a voice and make a difference to our world as women in whatever role we may aspire.
Celebrating local girl Rebecca’s life and comments was inspiring and she is a woman who needs to be acknowledged by Toowoomba as she will make a difference in her future with her commitment to family, community and business and the journey of change to give women a stronger voice.
Thanks Rebecca, so energising to feel your emotion and commitment. There are many life experiences around us – it’s about self-belief and honesty. BARB MCGOVERN, Toowoomba
FUEL PRICES
THE Federal Government’s Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has identified fuel price transparency as a national issue that is not unique to Queensland.
I welcome the ACCC’s commitment in Estimates last week to inquire into the fuel price cycle this year.
We already have put an end to misleading price boards. From January 31 this year, price you see is the price you pay. And we have written to the Federal Treasurer urging him to take national action.
State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington is fully aware that it is the Federal Government which must take the lead. To blame anyone else is yet another case of her protecting her Federal allies at the expense of Queenslanders.
While I look forward to the Federal Treasurer’s response, I am not holding my breath. In the interim, we are working with stakeholders, including the RACQ, towards finding an effective solution for Queensland motorists.
We must ensure that any real time monitoring system does not add a regulatory burden that might inadvertently add extra cost to the price of petrol.
With many of the retailers being national operators any red tape as a result of such a reporting system would be reduced by a streamlined, nationally consistent approach.
In the meantime, I’d encourage motorists to shop around using the apps available already, and support retailers offering the best price. DR ANTHONY LYNHAM, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy