Cycleway link to Highfields gets $7.5m boost:
Education, health are winners, motorists pay more
MORE than $1.2 billion has been allocated in the state budget for infrastructure in the Darling Downs, but Toowoomba motorists will also fork out nearly $1.5 million more in car registration fees.
A massive infrastructure spend in the regions was the key message from Treasurer Jackie Trad during her first budget speech yesterday, with health, education and frontline services the big winners.
Toowoomba’s public school and tertiary education system has also enjoyed a boost, including $16.7 million for new classrooms at Harristown State High School and Highfields State Secondary College, $4 million for TAFE facilities and services as well as $8.9 million for a new performing arts centre at Centenary Heights.
But the 91,000 drivers in the Toowoomba region have been slugged with another registration cost increase averaging $15, translating into an extra $1.46 million in fees.
The New England Highway Cycleway project, which will link Highfields to the Toowoomba CBD by bicycle, has received $7.5 million.
The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service will also enjoy another $40 million in its annual budget for 2018/19.
Other major projects included:
■ $4.2m towards job creating maintenance and minor infrastructure projects run by local governments.
■ $5m for training and increased workforce participation via the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program
■ $1.2m for the ongoing construction of Drayton’s new ambulance station
■ $3m for the Charlton fire and rescue service, which is a $10.6 million project
■ $176,000 for works at the Cobb and Co Museum.