By TANIA PHILLIPS
THE sewer for Allora and the Emu Swamp Dam top a list of ‘regional priorities’ given the thumbs up by Southern Downs Regional Council at its July general meeting.
Southern Downs mayor Tracy Dobie said having a council-endorsed list of prioritised projects and initiatives would strengthen the council’s ability to advocate to State and Federal governments, and support funding applications.
“We need to attract more investment in the Southern Downs, particularly by other levels of government,” she said.
“To do this, it’s crucial that we have clearly defined priorities and work towards shovel-ready projects so we can target appropriate State and Federal funding programs,” Cr Dobie said.
The list endorsed by the council outlines the region’s priorities set in the context of council and non-council owned and controlled, for the next 12 months.
Council owned or controlled priorities are: sewer for Allora; Emu Swamp Dam; Business Incubator; streetscapes (Stanthorpe, Warwick, Allora and Killarney); hydro-generation at the two gravity-fed dams (Connolly and Storm King); extension of the drags track; all-weather facility for horse and other events; Kangaroo Paddock returned to council trusteeship; combination clubhouse/conference centre; rabbit and dog fence funding.
Non-council owned or controlled priorities: development of a State-owned facility (e.g. Police Academy); road safety (Eight Mile turnoff and Accommodation Creek); upgrade and maintenance of rail links; removal of backpackers’ tax; investment in the air cadet facility at the Warwick Aerodrome; nationally accredited shooting facility; re-seal of the tracks at Morgan Park and Carnell Raceways; constitutional recognition for local government; funding for upgrades of historical buildings; development of a Federal facility (e.g. Refugee Welcome Zone or Facility).
Mayor Dobie highlighted that the regional priorities will be presented to the region’s State and Federal MPs and would be reviewed on an annual basis.
“Having an endorsed list is a strong and positive step forward in the council’s aim to grow and develop our region, and we will use it to lobby our local members,” she said.
“The council wants to see this region grow: to attract new residents, new visitors and new businesses to stimulate our local economies, create new jobs and grow our population.
“To achieve this, we need to invest in tourism, industry and infrastructure, but investing is hard in our current fiscally constrained environment.
“If the council can leverage grant funding from the State and the Feds, it will help us to deliver vital improvements and expansion in the region, while minimsing the impact on our ratepayers.
“And, as we know, change is inevitable. So the annual review is important, as priorities can and do change,” she said.
