Minister responds to calls for treasure to remain in city

TRANSPORT and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has responded to calls from Toowoomba’s leaders for a historic trove of coins to be put on display in the city.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey

TRANSPORT and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has responded to calls from Toowoomba's leaders for a historic trove of coins to be put on display in the city, saying he would was "happy to look at that".

The Chronicle on Wednesday revealed more than 5600 coins dating as far back as the 19th century had been discovered on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing worksite.

Mr Bailey said the find was "a fantastic story" and a "fantastic addition to our local history knowledge", though he gave no indication as to where on the Second Range Crossing - which traverses two local government areas - the find was made.

"This section runs 43km. The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing goes from the Warrego well east of Toowoomba to a long way west of Toowoomba," he said.

"I think the most important thing is that we've got this treasure trove, we'll be preserving it and that's good news for everyone in between."

One of the coins - a 1927 silver florin - found during construction of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. Picture: Contributed

Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts, mayor Paul Antonio and Groom MP Dr John McVeigh have all called for the collection to remain in the Garden City, citing its potential as a tourist attraction.

The haul of coins is being described as one of the largest found on mainland Australia.

Details of the historic find, made in October 2016, have been revealed following the recent completion of a Department of Environment and Science investigation.
 

Originally published as Minister responds to calls for treasure to remain in city