Everything promised for Toowoomba by Labor, the LNP and the Greens during state election campaign
Before you vote on October 31, find out what all the major parties have promised for the region.
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Since the Queensland state election campaign begun almost four weeks ago, politicians have made dozens of promises for the Toowoomba region.
The Chronicle has collated all of those promises into one place, so you can easily find what Labor, the LNP and the Greens have promised for your area.
Here’s everything promised for Toowoomba this state election:
Labor
Rural Centre of Excellence to be expanded under Labor election plan
The Rural Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba TAFE campus would be expanded if Labor is returned to government on October 31.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a re-elected Palaszczuk Government would invest $1 million for stage two of the centre.
It forms part of her $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future policy.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor’s $62m election promise to Darling Downs schools
The Queensland Labor Party has promised $62m to Darling Downs schools ahead of the state election.
Overall 20 schools in the Darling Downs and South West area would be boosted from this funding.
Education Minister Grace Grace said the funding commitment was good news for the construction industry and the Queenslanders it employs.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor’s plan for more frontline health staff in the region
Labor’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Monday travelled to Toowoomba to announce the party would hire more frontline health staff in the Darling Downs region including 297 nurses, 76 doctors and 66 health professionals if elected at the October 31 election.
“The work of our frontline health staff during this global pandemic has allowed the Palaszczuk Government to get on with Queensland’s plan for economic recovery,” Mr Bailey said.
“That means creating jobs and building a record $14.5 billion in regional road and transport projects like the West and East creeks culverts upgrade, and another $1 billion in road stimulus funding for more upgrades like the $13.9 million New England Highway project between Toowoomba and Yarraman.”
Read all about that promise here.
Labor’s $8m pledge for local education and training facilities
A re-elected Labor Government would commit $8 million across Darling Downs schools to help students get the skills they need to build a career close to home.
The funding is part of a $45 million skills boost to build and upgrade schools facilities and support Queensland’s economic recovery, which Labor says will create 150 jobs.
Speaking from Toowoomba this week, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the investment would ensure schools across the Darling Downs were well equipped to help students maximise future opportunities.
Read all about that promise here.
Council funding program to continue
The Works for Queensland program, which has provided $2.9 million in recent years to the Toowoomba Regional Council, will be expanded if the Labor Government is re-elected on October 31.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week announced a $400 million regional investment in Works for Queensland and another $280 million for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.
She said Darling Downs councils would receive some of this funding.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor backs voluntary assisted dying
Toowoomba residents have overwhelmingly come out in support of voluntary assisted dying.
It comes after the Queensland Labor Government promised to legalise VAD in February if it is re-elected at the October 31 state election.
Read more about that promise here.
Labor’s election promise for extra firefighters in Highfields
Four new firefighters would be employed at the Highfields fire station if the Labor Government is re-elected at Saturday’s state election.
Toowoomba North Labor candidate Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the four additional firefighters for Highfields would support a transition from an auxiliary station to a five-day permanent day shift station.
“Queensland’s multiskilled firefighters not only protect our state from emergencies and natural disasters but also assist interstate and overseas when called upon,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.
Read more about that promise here.
LNP
LNP’s $150k promise for new western suburbs high school study
The LNP has committed $150,000 to launch a business case investigating the viability of a new high school at Westbrook if it wins government on October 31.
Condamine MP Pat Weir said the potential school would see hundreds of students from neighbouring primary schools like Bunkers Hill, Wyreema, Cambooya and Drayton feed into it.
“The first step is the business case,” he said.
Read more about that promise here.
$265k election promise for Pittsworth sports club
Condamine MP Pat Weir pledged Pittsworth Rugby League Club house $110,000 to upgrade change rooms and showers, plus an extra $155,000 to upgrade its internal pathways.
“They’ve had an issue with their internal traffic,” Mr Weir said.
“Kids are going from oval to oval all while cars are coming in and out.
Read more about that promise here.
LNP commits $500k for Darling Heights community hub
Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki has announced an LNP-elected government after October 31 would spend $500,000 on helping to build a community hub at Darling Heights State School.
Mr Janetzki said the hub would include a commercial kitchen, men’s shed and community garden, which would help bring the southern suburbs community together.
“The Darling Heights State School is perfectly positioned for an accessible and affordable hub to connect our community not just in Darling Heights but across Toowoomba’s southern suburbs,” Mr Janetzki said.
Read more about that promise here.
LNP makes $3 million promise for study into new Highfields road
Toowoomba North LNP MP Trevor Watts has promised a Deb Frecklington LNP Government would fund a business case into a new major road between Highfields and Wilsonton.`
Mr Watts said the LNP would commit $3 million for the business case, funded under the SEQ Congestion Program, as part of its plan to lead Queensland out of recession.
“This is a significant infrastructure project for those living north of Toowoomba,” Mr Watts said.
Read all about that promise here.
$12 million promise to improve facilities and safety at Wilsonton State High School
Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts has committed $12 million to upgrades at Wilsonton State High School if the LNP is elected to government at the October 31 state election.
Mr Watts said the “important safety and infrastructure upgrades” would see the school receive new permanent classrooms including specialist manual arts and hospitality areas for senior students, a performing arts centre, including arts, music and multimedia spaces, an expansion of the existing 350-space car park as part of a new traffic management plan, and a scramble crossing at the intersection of Richmond Drive and North Street.
“Wilsonton State High School’s student population is quickly outgrowing the school’s built capacity,” Mr Watts said.
Read all about that promise here.
How David Janetzki plans to fight crime rise in Toowoomba region
Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki has outlined his plan to tackle crime across the Toowoomba region if the LNP is elected on October 31.
Mr Janetzki said local Neighbourhood Watch groups would be part of the solution and stood to receive $10,000 funding to support their grassroots efforts.
The $10,000 will be put towards education and minor equipment purchases for local Neighbourhood Watch groups covering suburbs including Harristown, Kearneys Spring, South Toowoomba, Centenary Heights, Middle Ridge, Darling Heights and Rangeville.
Read all about that promise here.
Funding for Clifton Jockey Club
Condamine LNP MP Pat Weir has continued to make promises for community groups and clubs in the electorate.
This week Mr Weir promised $60,000 for the construction of another shade structure and the associated earth works at the Clifton Jockey Club.
New day surgery hospital
A Liberal National Party Government would build what the party says is the first stage of the new Toowoomba Hospital at the Baillie Henderson Campus.
The LNP’s health spokeswoman Ros Bates was in Toowoomba this week to announce the $45 million day surgery hospital alongside Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts.
Mr Watts said the new day surgery hospital would provide orthopaedic, dental and cataract surgery, as well as breast cancer screening services.
Read more about that promise here.
Community garden receives $100,000
An LNP-elected government would provide $100,000 for a community garden to provide free fresh fruit and vegetables to residents.
Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki committed the funds to Flourish PYO (Pick Your Own), a not-for-profit charity run by volunteers who established their first community garden in Harristown last year.
Read more about that promise here.
LNP makes promise for more flashing signs around Toowoomba schools
Toowoomba North LNP MP Trevor Watts has committed to installing flashing school zones signs at several local schools if his party is elected to government after Saturday.
Mr Watts said the signs would be installed around Mater Dei Primary School and Highfields State Secondary College.
He said the new flashing school zone signs would be installed on Curzon St and O’Brien Rd which are two of the busiest thoroughfares in Toowoomba and Highfields, especially during peak hour.
Read more about that promise here.
LNP makes $10,000 Mount Lofty anti-hooning election pledge
Residents at Mount Lofty have seen an increase of hooning and drug dealing at the top of the lookout, Toowoomba North LNP MP Trevor Watts has claimed.
“It’s been reported many times,” Mr Watts said.
“What we want to do is help activate the community so they could work together and drive this kind of behaviour out of this area.”
Mr Watts has promised $10,000 to a local neighbourhood watch group to help combat those issues, if the LNP is elected to government come October 31.
Read more about that promise here.
The Greens
Plan for Queensland school kids to get free breakfast and lunch
Toowoomba South candidate Thomas Coyne and Toowoomba North candidate Alyce Nelligan have welcomed their party’s plan to establish a universal, free school breakfast and lunch program in every state primary and secondary school and said it would bring much-needed support for struggling families in Toowoomba.
“With our community struggling under the weight of record unemployment and a once-in-a-generation recession, this plan will bring much-needed relief for struggling families,” Ms Nelligan said.
Read more about that promise here.
Greens make free parking promise for Toowoomba Hospital patients
Toowoomba Hospital patients could be able to park at the facility for free if the Greens are elected, or hold the balance of power, after the October 31 state election.
Toowoomba North Greens candidate Alyce Nelligan said her party had a policy for free hospital parking across Queensland, including at Toowoomba Hospital.
She said this would bring much-needed relief to the community.
Read all about that promise here.
