With the recent news that Toowoomba has one of the lowest unemployment rates – 3.7% – in Queensland ABS Labour Force Survey 2015 we are reminded how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful city. Toowoomba Regional Council has recently launched a new slogan for the region “Rich Traditions, Bold Ambitions”, along with bright and bold branding, and while the rich traditions are alive and well, the bold ambitions are more evident than ever before.
2016 will bring many new projects and events to our region, including:
- It was a long time in the making, but the first sod has finally been turned on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing . The crossing will reduce the number of heavy vehicles travelling through the Toowoomba CBD and create benefits for both drivers and residents of Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley. In addition to the benefits, the project will also create jobs for the region.
- Australia’s newest – and first privately-funded – airport, Brisbane West Wellcamp, was completed by the Wagner Family in 2015, currently boasting direct flights to Sydney – linking Toowoomba to the entire country – and regional Queensland locations, and flights are now on sale for two exciting new destinations, Melbourne and Cairns.
- Toowoomba’s major shopping centre, Grand Central is being redeveloped and will nearly double in size. Completion is expected in 2017.
- Massive rail freight project planned at Charlton – http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-publications/media-releases/12297-infrastructure-project-provides-major-boost-for-enterprise-hub
- The award-winning Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers goes from strength-to-strength, boasting beautiful gardens, the Ergon Energy Flower Food & Wine Festival, Heritage Bank Live Concert Series, Grand Central Floral Parade and many more activities. This year’s Carnival will be held between Friday 16 and Sunday 25 September, and if you haven’t yet experienced this wonderful event, do yourself a favour and get involved.
- We asked around the HB office and our staff let us know some of their favourite things about living in Toowoomba:
- Access to fresh produce, with close proximity to the Food Bowl of Queensland, the Lockyer Valley
- Affordable house prices: the median property price, according to realestate.com.au as of 18 January 2016, is $364,000, compared to a nation-wide median of nearly $660,000.
- Great schooling, both public and private, along with a growing University
- Proximity to beautiful Sunshine and Gold Coasts, as well as Brisbane.
- Time to get to work – the average time our staff members take to get to work is 7.5 minutes – and that includes two colleagues who live outside the Toowoomba City boundary!
So why would you live anywhere else? Let us know what you love about living in Toowoomba.
