Toowoomba Regional Mayor Paul Antonio couldn’t be happier the Toowoomba Bypass has taken another significant step forward. Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Queensland Deputy Premier Geoff Seeney visited the Garden City to announce that an agreement on the full-funding of the project had been reached and construction is expected to start midway through 2015.
The Federal Government will contribute $1.3 billion, an 80 per cent stake, and the Newman Government will fund the additional 20 per cent.The project has also moved to the next phase with private companies being asked to register their interest in constructing the $1.7 billion toll road project.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chairman Cr Graham Quirk said SEQ Mayors have been pushing long and hard to achieve the financial commitment to the project. “The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing has been on political agendas for decades and it is wonderful to see that it is finally going to become a reality.â€
Cr Quirk went on to say “The Second Range Crossing is important to both maintain and grow employment opportunities in Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs and across the South East, but its benefits will be felt across the country.”
According to Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor “The Bypass will change Toowoomba’s economic and social landscape forever.” An independent economic study has estimated direct economic benefits for the Toowoomba region of between $15.3 and $23.9 billion when the road is operational. This could mean an average increase of around 14% in turnover to some local businesses as well as additional productivity savings.
“The jobs created during the construction phase of the road will provide a remarkable boost to this region.” Cr Antonio said an independent economic study has estimated direct economic benefits for the Toowoomba region of between $15.3 and $23.9 billion when the road is operational. This could mean an average increase of around 14% in turnover to some local businesses as well as additional productivity savings.
“The stars are well and truly aligning for the Toowoomba region.” Cr Antonio said in his view “with the construction of the Wellcamp airport, a planned inland rail route passing through Toowoomba, and now the Bypass becoming reality, Toowoomba’s future has never looked brighter.”
Cr Antonio also paid tribute to his mayoral predecessors who were instrumental in ensuring the case for a Second Range Crossing was never forgotten.
Submitted by:
Chris Leslight
Communications Officer
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council
&
Lisa O Donnell
Council of Mayors
South East Queensland
