Community & Business
7 December, 2023
Mayor chases infrastructure funding
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald last week joined Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles and a group of Queensland Mayors in Canberra to discuss Federal infrastructure funding.
The delegation followed the recent release of the Australian Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program Review (IIP) which recommends a number of federally-funded projects be shelved, including in
the Toowoomba region, the New England Highway Borneo Barracks entrance upgrade.
Mayor McDonald said it was imperative Toowoomba had a seat at the table during last week’s talks with the Australian Government.
“If the Queensland State Government is worried about the potential for federal infrastructure funding cuts then local government should be very worried and that’s why I joined the Deputy Premier and other Mayors in Canberra...” he said.
“The Deputy Premier and various Mayors, including myself, raised concerns with Minister for Infrastructure Transport and Regional Development Catherine King about the potential shift in current infrastructure funding arrangements which currently see the Australian Government contribute 80 per cent and State Governments 20 per cent for some infrastructure projects.”
TRC BACKING FOR INLAND RAIL
“I also had the opportunity to discuss with Minister King other projects such as Inland Rail and I reiterated that TRC is 100 per cent behind the completion of the project and Inland Rail coming to the Toowoomba region,” Mayor McDonald said.
“There will be significant ancillary benefits to the Toowoomba region with the delivery of Inland Rail.”
CRESSBROOK DAM
“For us here in Toowoomba, external funding for projects like the critical Cressbrook Dam Safety Upgrade is vitally important,” the Mayor said.
“Council is facing an unprecedented capital infrastructure burden this financial year and in coming years as a result of this
project which I again discussed at length with Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain.
“Minister McBain has recently visited Toowoomba and received a briefing on Cressbrook Dam and is
well aware of the enormity of the cost facing Council as a result of the project.”
