Mayor talks bypass, inland rail with PM

Mayor Paul Antonio discussed the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss in Canberra today.

Mayor Paul Antonio pictured with other SEQ Mayors delegates and PM Tony Abbott. . Picture: Contributed

Mayor Paul Antonio discussed the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss in Canberra today.

At the SEQ Mayors delegation, Cr Antonio also discussed the proposed Inland Railway project.

"Mr Truss was able to give us a solid briefing on that proposal," he said.

Cr Antonio said he was proud to be in a position to lobby for the Toowoomba region in the nation's capital.

"As a result of discussions I have a real degree of comfort about the bypass," Cr Antonio said.

"The way that Projects Queensland approached this deal, by going to the market for design and construct brought a great deal of innovation to the table."

He said the council of mayor represented one in seven Australians and was "a very powerful lobby group".

The lobby group also spoke about the Brisbane-led bid for the Olympic Games.

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"That could bring benefits right across the Toowoomba region - and give us an opportunity to get significant funding for sporting precincts," Cr Antonio said.

"It's very early days, but it's something we need to put on the table for the future of this region.

 "If we did have a successful bid there'd be a real responsibility on the state and federal government to step up for funding for infrastructure which would then be there forever."

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Originally published as Mayor talks bypass, inland rail with PM