Road renewals and upgrades win big in Toowoomba Regional Council budget

It’s long been the subject of concern and angst among residents, but many roads across the region will enjoy repairs or upgrades as part of the latest budget.

The Toowoomba Regional Council will invest millions into the renewal and upgrades of several roads.

Roads were one of the biggest winners from the latest Toowoomba Regional Council budget, with more than $60m allocated for new, upgraded and renewal projects in 2021-22.

Infrastructure chair Councillor Carol Taylor said the planned $3.3m upgrade of Dalby-Nungil Road and the $2.5 Russell Street streetscape project were the key highlights from the budget.

“These essential projects are the key to ensuring our communities remain resilient to Covid-19 and prosper and thrive well into the future,” she said in her budget speech.

Another $30m has been allocated for road, footpath and drainage renewal projects.

Mayor Paul Antonio said funding for roads needed to take a priority.

“We’re seeing projects emerging in this area that need roads,” he said.

“We can’t afford to put all of the money in, neither can the developers, it has to come from the state and federal governments, so they understand the importance of road infrastructure.

“We’re working hard on road infrastructure every day but we’re not delivering what the community would hope us to deliver, but we’re doing as much as we possibly can.”

Originally published as Road renewals and upgrades win big in Toowoomba Regional Council budget