Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald leads $25k delegation to Singapore for Carnival of Flowers display at Gardens By The Bay
Mayor Geoff McDonald says a major delegation to Singapore to visit a huge Toowoomba-themed display will deliver major economic benefits for the region.
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Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald has defended a $25,000 council delegation to Singapore for the opening of a Carnival of Flowers-themed display at the city-state’s Gardens By The Bay, describing it as a “major publicity coup”.
Mr McDonald led the trip last week to the opening of the display, joined by councillors James O’Shea and Tim McMahon and council officers.
Deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff also travelled to the opening separate from the delegation and covered her own flights.
The new display inside the Flower Dome at the Gardens By The Bay includes more than 1000 native plants donated by the council, which contributed about $35,000 towards its installation.
Toowoomba is the first Australian city featured inside the dome, which is the world’s largest greenhouse.
Mr McDonald said the delegation, which also included 27 local business leaders, aimed to strengthen tourism and trade opportunities between the Toowoomba region and Singapore.
“This unique opportunity sees the Toowoomba region on show to the world like never before with an estimated 700,000 visitors expected to visit the Flower Dome from now until November 17,” he said.
“A full report with relevant data will be provided to TRC from Singapore Gardens by the Bay which will examine final numbers.
“Businesses represented by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise engaged with industry leaders and business matching organisations, positioning themselves to expand export markets.
“Simultaneously, businesses represented by Queensland Country Tourism met with over 95 key tourism industry representatives, creating strong prospects for increased visitor numbers to the region in the coming years.”
It comes as council prepares another trip to its sister city in New Zealand, Whanganui in November.
Mr McDonald said the trip would include a look at the city’s art gallery to inform the council’s own plans for a new museum.
“This delegation will explore the benefits a well-developed art gallery can bring to the community, focusing on cultural enrichment, community engagement, and economic growth,” he said.
“The exchange will help inform planning and ensure the new gallery can serve as a dynamic hub for arts and culture within the Toowoomba region.
“Arrangements for the delegation to attend TRC’s sister city Whanganui are ongoing and yet to be finalised.”
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