Toowoomba federal, state and local political leaders start planning for new quarterly advocacy meetings

In a move sparked from investigations by The Chronicle, Toowoomba’s political leaders from three tiers of government have started planning their first meetings.

Geoff McDonald; Trevor Watts; Garth Hamilton; David Janetzki; Rebecca Vonhoff.

Quarterly meetings between Toowoomba’s three tiers of elected representatives could start as early as July after Groom MP Garth Hamilton revealed how he’d like them to be run.

Mr Hamilton has reportedly started discussions with Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald, deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff and state MPs David Janetzki, Trevor Watts and Pat Weir to co-ordinate the meetings.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The initiative was sparked by The Chronicle’s weekend investigation into council inaction that has seen key projects like the $270m Cressbrook Dam upgrades, the $25m Railway Parklands precinct and the $6.6m Escarpment Mountain Bike Trail master plan either underfunded or behind schedule.

With both state and federal elections scheduled over the next 18 months, the meetings could take on significance for council advocacy.

Mr Watts, Mr Janetzki and Mr McDonald have all made in-principle agreements to meet regularly — something Mr Hamilton wanted to see actioned quickly.

“We have met before on different issues, but what could be wrong with taking it a step further?” he said.

“I don’t expect perfection but anything that helps the current situation is a good thing.

“Due to our electoral boundaries, not every (federal MP) could (be able) do this — we’re pretty uniquely-placed to be able to come together like this, (because) the federal boundaries are pretty close to my three state colleagues and the council’s area.”

Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Mr Hamilton said the actual meetings would be closed to the public, with the focus ideally on

advocacy for more infrastructure and key projects.

“I’ll pull together meetings and offer a proposed agenda but what I see are two real components,” he said.

“One is grants and funding, and what advocacy can be done and provided and the other part of it, which Trevor has been open to, is opening up an offer to bodies like chambers or progress associations for an open session.

“The better organised we are, the better we can present our case (so) hopefully this process is an avenue for issues to be raised and interventions made.

“It’s not a talkfest, it’s not a town hall, it’s a process — we’re targeting July, at the end of each quarter generally.”

Topics will likely include projects like Railway Parklands and Cressbrook Dam, as well as further opportunities for grant funding.

Toowoomba deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff and mayor Geoff McDonald discuss the council's request for $90m from both the state and federal governments to help pay for the Cressbrook Dam safety upgrades.