$10 million cash injection transforms CBD icon

THE heritage-listed site in Toowoomba will be redeveloped, with the State Government throwing its money into the council-driven project.

The Goods Shed in Toowoomba. Image PHAB Architects

THE heritage-listed Toowoomba Rail Goods Shed will be redeveloped, with the State Government throwing its money into the council-driven project.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham announced the commitment this morning in Toowoomba outside the old shed, with half of the project's funding to come from the State Government's Building our Regions initiative.

The $5 million contribution, which has been matched by Toowoomba Regional Council, will turn the unused 120-year-old shed into a first-class flexible space to attract commercial and community interests.

The Goods Shed as seen during a recent Open House. Pictured are Paul Herbert and Stephanie Keays. Picture: Nev Madsen

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio made the project council's top priority back in August when it applied for the Building our Regions fund.

All three projects highlighted by council, including the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub Stimulus business case and the Pittsworth Industrial Precinct Enabling project, were green-lighted in the latest round of funding.

Dr Lynham said the Toowoomba funding agreements, totalling nearly $15 million in state dollars, were part of the second round of the program worth $79 million.

"Regional infrastructure projects are an important part of keeping the economy ticking over and keeping our regional communities strong," he said.

"Our $375 million Building our Regions program is pumping funds into regional communities across the state and supporting more than 600 jobs in 51 projects funded in this latest second round.

"This is all part of our plan to support jobs growth in regional Queensland."

Other south-west Queensland projects include:

 - Dirranbandi and St George: Nearly $600,000 for kerb and channel works and improved stormwater channelling and drainage in Dirranbandi and St George respectively

 - Roma: $2 million to upgrade Roma Airport

 - Charleville: $500,000 for a new industrial precinct to support mining and cattle industries, and another $500,000 to repair and reinforce Charleville's levee bank

Originally published as $10 million cash injection transforms CBD icon