The project is a step towards developing south east Queensland areaq as a major logistics hub
Toowoomba Enterprise Hub at Charlton will undergo a major infrastructure upgrade thanks to a $6.78 million partnership between public and private bodies.
The Steger Road Infrastructure Enabling Project will include construction of a two-lane asphalt road, with provision to accommodate trunk public utility plant and other utility service infrastructure.
As part of its Building our Regions program the Queensland Government will contribute $2.89 million – a sum matched by the Toowoomba Regional Council, with InterLinkSQ Intermodal Precinct developers Freight Terminals contributing the remaining $1 million.
Freight Terminals chairman John Dornbusch said, “The upgrade of this infrastructure opens opportunities to build upon the momentum driven by other major infrastructure projects underway in the region.”
Referring to an independent report published by KPMG, Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio said the Toowoomba area already has significant cost advantages over areas like Brisbane.
“One of the key advantages is cheaper industrial land already zoned for transport and logistics locked in and ready for development,” Antonio said.
He also said that unlike other parts of the country “there is more than 2000 hectares of available industrial land ready for use” in the Toowoomba region.
Antonio said the upgrade of Steger Road is yet another milestone towards developing South East Queensland as a major logistics hub.
“We are ready now to capitalise on the growing demand nationally and internationally for our skills, produce and products,” he said.
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) chairman Shane Charles said the enterprise hub will create more than 12,000 jobs in the region.
“We are already seeing a number of firms looking to the region as an attractive investment option due to our growing infrastructure, transport and logistics capabilities, and we expect as more headway is made at Charlton, this interest will only continue to grow,” Charles said.