Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) hosted 250 locals and industry leaders for its first Enterprise Evening of the year in Civic Square, Toowoomba.
A highlight was Toowoomba’s own David Janetzki, Treasurer, Minister for Energy, Minister for Home Ownership, and Member for Toowoomba South, making his first hometown address since his appointment to Cabinet in 2024.
His speech reaffirmed TSBE’s key advocacy priorities, emphasising the support for critical regional infrastructure and the importance of ensuring local content and community benefits from major projects.
TSBE executive director Dr John McVeigh, echoed these sentiments by underscoring the significance of the region speaking with a unified voice to secure its fair share of opportunities.
“Queensland is open for business and our region is open and ready for business,” he said.
TSBE has long championed the concept of local content, which demands providing local businesses and services the opportunity to tender and secure work on major projects within their communities.
This approach not only supports local enterprises but also ensures that the economic benefits flow through the towns, strengthening the regional economy.
With a diverse energy landscape and billions of dollars worth of projects in various stages, the construction phase offers a quick boost to our region.
Small to medium-sized businesses across Toowoomba and the Surat Basin excel in this phase, offering services such as excavation, drainage works, civil engineering and the supply of goods and services to construction sites.
This creates local jobs and stimulates economic activity.
TSBE’s hosts a Major Projects Round Table, which highlights the immense potential within the region, with $10 billion in projects and about 7450 jobs at peak construction represented around the table.
Dr McVeigh said the project was a testament to the region’s capability.
“We know we can achieve local content outcomes. Look at what we achieved with the build of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, where 80 per cent of contracts were awarded to local businesses.”
One of the promising projects on the horizon for our region is the proposed Equestrian Centre at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, with a build estimated to be worth approximately $60 million.
Achieving similar levels of local content on this project would translate into tens of millions of dollars worth of work for local businesses.
Outside of the build, equestrian events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games pose unique challenges, but they also offer substantial rewards.
The region has the capability and capacity to support athletes and horses through quarantine, training and competition stages.
