5 things our new council needs to get right from day 1

THE Toowoomba region's newly elected council meets for the first time today. Here are 5 things we think they need to get right from day one.

Toowoomba City Hall Photo Bev Lacey / The Chronicle. Picture: Bev Lacey

THE Toowoomba region's newly elected council meets for the first time today. Here are 5 things we think they need to get right from day one.

Elect the right deputy mayor

TRADITIONALLY councillors have avoided controversy and division by electing the council candidate with the most votes to the position of deputy mayor. This needs to end today.

Selecting Mayor Paul Antonio's deputy shouldn't be an easy decision or one dictated by popularity.

We need the right leaders to drive the region forward. Councillors need to choose the person who has the skills, initiative and leadership to be the Toowoomba region's deputy mayor.

Solve the car parking issue

THIS is the issue that has divided the city and hampered growth in the Toowoomba CBD. We've had enough waiting, it's now time to solve the problem.

Private developers could hold the key by the new team of councillors need to play their part.

They need stop with the short-term fixes that have only exasperated the program and show leadership on the issue.

Tough decisions need to be made, but it's imperative they're made to protect the future of the city's traditional retail centre.

RELATED: Developers plan multi-storey CBD car park

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing

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Plan behind 2020

THIS new team of councillors will lead the region through an unprecedented period of growth and development.

The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, the western rail line project and the expansion of the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub will drive growth and create jobs over the next four years.

But what about beyond that?

Toowoomba Regional Council must work hard over the next term to ensure that once the construction boom is over, the region's economy doesn't stall.

Consult with the community

ONE of the major criticisms levelled at the previous council was the lack of consultation with the community.

Many locals were concerned development and growth were put ahead of liveability.

This new team of councillors must focus on consulting with the community - here in Toowoomba and across the wider region.

Ratepayers are key stakeholders in any council project  and they need to be put at the fore of any decision that council makes.

Fight for local jobs

OVER the next couple of years 1800 jobs will be created on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project.

Another 4000 will open up with the expansion of the western rail line.

But how many of these jobs will go to locals? There is concern that the Toowoomba region community will be overlooked and workforces will be dominated by FIFO staff.

Toowoomba Regional Council must work with the project proponents and higher levels of government to ensure locals are employed on what are essentially local projects.
 

Originally published as 5 things our new council needs to get right from day 1