Toowoomba Regional Council forms new water alliance with five other local governments

The Toowoomba Regional Council and five other local governments have launched a new alliance to push for better water security outcomes from higher levels of government.

Mayor Paul Antonio (Toowoomba Regional Council), Mayor Paul Petty (Tenterfield Shire Council), Cr Rick Kearney (Goondiwindi Regional Council), Mayor Lawrence Springborg (Goondiwindi Regional Council), Mayor Vic Pennisi (Southern Downs Regional Council), and Mayor Paul McVeigh (Western Downs Regional Council). Mayor Tanya Milligan (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) was unable to attend but was represented at the meeting.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says he is “excited” to see the formation of a new cross-border water alliance between the council and five others across southern Queensland and northern NSW.

The Toowoomba Regional Council will join the Western Downs, Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, Lockyer Valley and Tenterfield in the alliance, which will seek to access millions in state and federal government funding for new water security studies.

Cr Antonio said it was an important first step for the councils, and hoped more local governments would join.

“We’re looking at firstly water mapping and where we can get future water from,” he said.

“I’m excited about it – it should’ve been done years ago but we’ve done it. We’re going to do mapping first, and one of the first things we’ve got to do is get it from the State Government.”

Cr Antonio said the agreed vision of the group was about winning new water to provide for generational urban, rural and industrial outcomes.

“Water security is a national issue, and the new alliance would work together to tackle it at a regional level,” he said.

“Improved water security would be a significant driver of regional growth and potential economic activity, particularly from private sector investment.

“The broader region of the Darling Downs and northern New South Wales is suffering through lack of long-term water security options.

“We believe that further investment in water security by all levels of government at a regional level is vital to seize the wealth of opportunity before us.”