New decade brings big opportunities
FROM THE OFFICE OF JOHN MCVEIGH MP
WELCOME to 2020 across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. As we start a new decade, I look forward to the many exciting things we can achieve that will further strengthen our position as one of Australia’s leading regional areas.
We have achieved so much in the last decade with a number of landmark developments, in particular, set to dramatically change the fortunes of our region for decades to come. We saw the completion of the long-awaited Toowoomba Second Range Crossing – an achievement more than 50 years in the making. The first greenfield public airport since 1947 was built at Wellcamp by Wagners, for the first time giving our region direct access across the nation as well as international airfreight transport. This has been an absolute game changer for SouthWest Queensland.
To complete the trifecta, on the eve of the new decade the Australian and Queensland Governments signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on Inland Rail – a key milestone in the delivery of the historic Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail project.
The convergence of these significant projects in our region will create thousands of new opportunities for jobs, business and lifestyle.
Already we are seeing new industries emerge as a result of these major infrastructure investments.
Soon, Toowoomba will be at the forefront of the emerging medicinal cannabis industry, with the $500 million Asterion medicinal cannabis project expected to start construction in coming months.
This exciting development promises more than 1,200 new jobs and will have significant flow-on benefits across the local economy.
The AATLIS technology and innovation precinct including the Global Agri-food Innovation Centre is being developed by iconic local firm FKG and will position our region at the forefront of ag-tech and food innovation in Australia – building on our proud agricultural heritage.
Of course, the Qantas Pilot Training Academy at Wellcamp Airport will be in full-swing this year bringing hundreds of future pilots to our region to live, study and train.
In 2020 we will also see progress on the next transformational project for our region – passenger rail services between Toowoomba and Brisbane. The Australian and Queensland Governments will complete a major business case into passenger rail services between Toowoomba and Brisbane, which is a key first-step towards realising this dream for our region.
Our community is strong and resilient, compassionate and caring. We will need to draw on these qualities throughout 2020 as we continue to manage our environment, endure this historic drought and deal with the many challenges that we face. I look forward to working with local groups, businesses, and residents to further strengthen our region and ensure we can all share in the new opportunities that arise in our wonderful part of Australia.