Delegation to Canberra hears South East Queensland City Deal is still on the cards

A delegation of South East Queensland mayors, including Cr Paul Antonio, has stressed the importance of a SEQ City Deal to Parliament.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

A South East Queensland City Deal which would jointly deliver infrastructure and economic priorities is still on the cards.

That’s the clear message Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio received during a two-day trip to Canberra as part of a delegation of the Council of Mayors SEQ.

“The SEQ Mayors used this delegation as an opportunity to stress the importance of the SEQ City Deal and this was well received by both the government and opposition,” Cr Antonio said.

“During the trip we met with 18 representatives including the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader and there was good support for the delivery of the SEQ City Deal.

“It’s clear both sides of the government understand how critical this Deal would be in ensuring the SEQ area is well connected for future growth.”

The SEQ City Deal is a 20-year agreement between three levels of government and industry to jointly identify and deliver infrastructure and economic priorities for South East Queensland.

Due for completion last year, it was stalled amid the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent delays to Federal and State budgets.

“Two years ago we received a commitment for this deal and with the Olympic Games now well and truly a realistic chance of taking place in SEQ, the timing is right to seal the deal,” Mayor Antonio said.

“The South East corner is home to around 70% of the State’s population and around one in seven of the nation’s population lives here.

“Due to our liveability we estimate the population is going to increase by about 1.6 million in this part of Australia by 2041 and it’s vital we have the necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate this growth.”