Optimism as decade starts

TOOWOOMBA residents have every reason to be optimistic about the future of the region as a new decade begins today, two of the city’s leaders said.

“I’m very optimistic for the next decade,” Mayor Paul Antonio said.

“This drought will end, sooner rather than later and probably in an unexpected way. In the next decade the Darling Downs and Toowomba region can reach their full potential in terms of production of product, whether that be grain or something else.

“People will continue to invest in Toowomba and given the chance for fast rail, people would come and live in Toowoomba. We’re in a far better position when you put us against any other regional area in Australia.”

Cr Antonio said Toowoomba was also “very blessed to have our entrepreneurial sector that provides long-term jobs and employment”.

WHILE WE HAVE THE CHALLENGES OF THE DROUGHT, THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD THINGS ON OUR DOORSTEP THAT WILL UNFOLD IN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS. INLAND RAIL IS A REALLY BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR US, AND THERE IS A LOT OF GROWTH COMING FROM THAT PROJECT. ALI DAVENPORT, TSBE CEO

“We must never forget we also live in one of the most liveable areas in Australia, and we don’t want to change that,” he said.

“We want the growth, but we want to continue to have this amazing liveability that we have.”

Cr Antonio said local government reforms, new water security measures and more were needed to secure Toowoomba’s future.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport echoed Cr Antonio’s comments.

“First and foremost we need water security for agriculture, industry and the general public as well,” Ms Davenport said.

“We need fast rail to Brisbane. We should be working towards becoming a transport and logistics hub for Inland Rail. That’s not automatically going to happen, we have to work hard to make sure it does.

“We need an internationally accredited mountain biking facility here, and tourism is an important part of our growth plans.”

Ms Davenport said she was optimistic about Toowoomba’s growth in the 2020s.

“While we have the challenges of the drought, there are so many good things on our doorstep that will unfold in the next 12 to 18 months,” she said.

“Inland Rail is a really big opportunity for us, and there is a lot of growth coming from that project.”