WATCH: $67 million depot will be home to 500 staff

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council’s new $67 million Principal Depot has been officially opened.

Cr Paul Antonio with Cr James O'Shea outside the new Toowoomba Regional Council principal depot.

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council's new $67 million Principal Depot at Nass Rd in Charlton has been officially opened.

Mayor Paul Antonio said the depot's construction was a significant investment into the local economy during a challenging time.

Construction on the facility began with preliminary earthworks in late 2018.

The works were initially delayed after the discovery of threatened finger panic grass on the site of the future facility.

The council relocated 1500 grasses as a result.

"The facility includes a central operations building, three workshops, a central store, a nursery and the Toowoomba Group State Emergency Service Headquarters," Cr Antonio said.

"The new facility delivers a modern and sustainable facility while providing a safer, more productive working environment for council staff.

"This project has been a significant boost to local jobs and businesses with 49 local contractors were engaged during the construction."

Cr Antonio said the new depot would help deliver essential services and infrastructure across the Toowoomba region.

TRC environment and community committee chair Cr James O'Shea said the facility incorporated many sustainable features.

"The depot will run entirely on solar power, from solar panels on the rooftop of the central operations building and the main workshop," Cr O'Shea said.

Cr O'Shea said around 500 staff from the Oakey and Harristown depots and the Toowoomba Nursery would relocate to the depot in a staged approach from June to December 2020.

TRC predominantly funded the principal depot project with support from the Queensland Government.

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