'The Western Downs is open for business'

Mayor announces the region is one of the country's fastest growing.

ROARING TO GO: Mayor Paul McVeigh says the Western Downs is well and truly ready for the several major advances within the mining sector experts are predicting over the next several years. Picture: Kate McCormack

GUEST speakers from some of the region's largest and newest business entities flocked to the Chinchilla Cultural Centre last Thursday to discuss the Surat Basin's future regarding several key mining developments.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) hosted their June enterprise evening with speakers from Origin, Decmil, Jemena and Qteq, who were also the sponsors of the event.

One day after releasing the Council's 2019/2020 budget Mayor Paul McVeigh addressed the 230 attendees announcing the next 12 months is an ideal time for growth in the region and that "the Western Downs is open for business”.

"The Western Downs is one of the fastest growing regional communities in Australia,” Mayor McVeigh said.

"We are well and truly the energy capital of Queensland and possibly even Australia,” he said.

Origin general manager Alexandra Kennedy-Clark discussed the mining giants current and future plans in the region, including their regional and local involvement and recruitment strategies.

Jemena's senior project manager, Matt McFarlane, provided an update on the construction of the $140 million Atlas Gas Pipeline Project. A project which will create between 150 and 200 jobs.

For more photos from the enterprise evening check out our photo gallery bellow:

TSBE June Enterprise Evening in Chinchilla

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