Mayor open to scheme
MAYOR Paul Antonio said he was open to an incentives scheme to encourage small businesses to set up in Highfields’ upcoming master planned central precinct.
The two-term incumbent spoke at the mayoral candidate breakfast organised by Highfields District Business Connections yesterday, the first of several candidate forums and events as part of the four-week local government election campaign.
While Cr Antonio will also face former lawyer Chris Meibusch at the ballot box as well, his other challenger Douglas Doelle also offered his pitch to Highfields’ small business community.
Cr Antonio argued he deserved another term on the back of the growth seen across the region, particularly in regards to the $7.5 million acquisition of Clive Berghofer’s land that led to the development of the Central Highfields Master Plan.
Cr Antonio said he would continue to fight for funding to deliver a second connection to Highfields as well.
When asked by The Chronicle about the possibility of an incentives scheme as part of the master plan, Cr
Antonio said he wasn’t opposed to it but warned about the financial implications facing the council.
“We certainly would consider that, and that would be for a future council,” he said.
“I am really concerned about the long-term future of local government.”
Mr Doelle, an Oakey resident and former landfill operator at Haden, was prompted by the moderator Mary Reid to reach the allowed six-minute mark.
Mr Doelle’s policies surrounded decentralisation of council resources, as well as a bigger focus on roads.
HDBC chairman Ray Hunt said the organisation would be actively informing the future council of what types of new businesses Highfields would need as part of the central precinct.
Meet the candidates events
– March 10, 7pm at Picnic Point: Toowoomba Chamber’s mayoral debate breakfast
– March 10, 5.30pm at Highfields Primary School: Highfields and District Business Connection’s council candidate forum
– March 12, 5.30pm at Burke and Wills Hotel: Toowoomba Chamber’s council candidate forum
– March 17, 5.30pm at Oakey Cultural Centre: Oakey Chamber of Commerce’s council candidates event
– March 18, 7pm at Westbrook Tavern: Westbrook Focus Group’s council candidates event.
tom.gillespie@thechronicle.com.au