Millions already spent in Toowoomba Regional Council’s $50m pandemic response investment program

The first projects in the Toowoomba Regional Council’s $50m pandemic response investment program have started, with about 90 per cent of the money going to local suppliers.

Toowoomba: Margaret Street looking East. Photo Bev Lacey

Major projects are now under way as part of Toowoomba Regional Council’s $50 million pandemic response investment program, with more than $9 million already spent or committed.

With the old amenities block at Nell E Robinson now cleared, Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald said construction had started to replace the block with a modernised facility.

“We were on site last week to see the progress to date with representatives from the Toowoomba Netball Association and there’s certainly some excitement around this project,” he said.

“As a direct result of this project a new apprentice has been employed by the successful local tenderer, Taddio Building Group.

“This was one of the projects which was originally scheduled for completion at a future date but with our $50 million package we’ve been able to fast track the work with the building scheduled to be finished this financial year.”

Cr McDonald said another fast tracked project was the Highfields Library, with the contractor on the build to be announced soon.

“Tenders for the project have now closed and are under assessment with the successful applicant to be announced early next year,” he said.

“Following this, construction will begin with the library expected to be open by the end of 2021.”

As of the end of November, around $4.8 million has been spent as part of this package, with another $4.5 million in commitments, equating to almost 20 per cent of the overall program.

“The great news is that about 90 per cent of all spend so far has been with local suppliers which is the number one goal of the program,” Cr McDonald said.

“The other piece of great news is how well our local contractors are recovering during the pandemic.

“When this package was introduced, we wanted to make sure there was work available to keep the industry stimulated and locals in jobs however the industry is doing better than we expected which is a terrific result for our community.

“Rather than compete with the projects currently on the books of local contractors, we’re prepared to shift our timelines to ensure there is continued investment within the Toowoomba region.”

The council also reallocated money within the stimulus program after it missed out on external funding for the Bridge Street quarry rehabilitation project.

Finance and business strategy portfolio lead Cr Kerry Shine said the council made a unanimous decision to continue seeking funding to support the project.

“It’s disappointing that we didn’t receive any funding when the State Government recently released its budget but rather than removing money from the project we made a decision to stay strong and commit to our $50 million package,” Cr Shine said.

“As a result, we will repurpose $450,000 towards the Barlow Rd culvert replacement, put an extra $2.05 million to our region-wide asphalt program and $400,000 in refurbishments to the Empire Theatre.

“We also want to make sure the Bridge Street quarry doesn’t fall off our radar so will spend $400,000 on the rehabilitation plan for the project and continue to advocate to all levels of government for additional funding.”

For a full list of the projects listed in the $50 million program visit www.tr.qld.gov.au or contact the council on 131 872.