CHRONICLE COLUMN | RURAL
The Toowoomba region has a rich resource base driven by agriculture and resource management. Our rural region is abundant with resources, with Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is the region’s number 1 industry by business count.
The region’s unique townships like Oakey, Pittsworth, Millmerran, Highfields, Crows Nest, Clifton, Greenmount, Goombungee, Cambooya, Clifton, Yarraman and other smaller townships, not only support and service the surrounding resources, but are themselves a major tourist attractors and core to the area’s history.
In 20/21, Toowoomba ‘economy id’ identified the total value of agricultural output in Toowoomba was $1,091m. In recent work undertaken by the Toowoomba Chamber 65% of Toowoomba business leaders recognise primary industries as the future of the region.
Rural areas, their resources and townships are significant contributors to the region’s character and economic prosperity. Tourism in the area’s townships and rural areas can and should play a significant part to an area’s vitality, opportunity, and economic diversity.
However, matters like poor connectivity in rural areas and towns (eg roads and services) is restricting long-term growth and sustainability. Poor quality infrastructure like roads is reducing productivity and reducing other opportunities like tourism. There is, in my view, simply, not enough investment in long term food security and green infrastructure.
These are some of the high priority matters that need to be addressed to support this fundamental part of the region’s identity, lifestyle, economic wealth and future prosperity.
With the state election just six weeks away, we all need to recognise the power that each vote will have on the future of our region. And, as Capital of the Darling Downs and Southwest, it is about time, we need the next state government to grow state government departments in the regions, implement government placed based decision making, fund rural infrastructure needs, food security and climate variation initiatives, develop emergency services in our towns, and create a Regional Infrastructure Fund.
As part of Regional Queensland and not Southeast Queensland, it is my view that it is time, time that political leaders show us their plan for regional Queensland, and particularly our great region.
What are your thoughts? Share them with us at admin@toowoombachamber.com.au
