Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio highlights key projects in his 2021 federal budget wishlist

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio had put forward his wishlist ahead of the 2021 federal budget, and two infrastructure projects stand out due to their impacts on the council.

Mayor Paul Antonio has laid out his wishlist for this week’s federal budget.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says the council is facing a $200m black hole in future budgets if it can’t get federal funding for two major infrastructure projects.

Mr Antonio laid out his wishlist for this week’s federal budget, with a second route into Highfields, tourism infrastructure funding and recognition of the upcoming Southeast Queensland City Deal among his top agenda items for the coming 12 months.

But he also reiterated a need for millions in higher government support to fund the required upgrade of the Cressbrook and Cooby Dam spillways.

The improvements, which need to be finished within five years based on new standards, are expected to cost $203m.

For context, the council’s entire budget for 2019-20 was about $500m.

Mr Antonio said he wanted to see the Federal Government put its hands in its pockets to help fund the project.

“Getting some money to help with that would be one of the best things (the government could do),” he said.

“$200m would certainly take a bit of wearing for council’s budgets.”

Mr Antonio also urged the Federal Government to finish signing off on the $57bn City Deal with the Council of Mayors Southeast Queensland.

He also said he wanted to see local government funding handled differently going forward, with less competitive models and more tax revenue.

“We get only 0.5 per cent of the national tax take — we know what a community needs, so I’m hoping there’s a different attitude taken to local government (in the budget),” Mr Antonio said.

Other agenda items included the planned upgrade of the Neil Street culverts, the second stage of the Railway Goods Shed and escarpment tourism funding.