The State Government Budget has confirmed that Toowoomba will get a new hospital and the city will play a big part in the 2032 Olympics.
The city will also will receive funding for a new manufacturing hub but it appears the Toowoomba Regional Council’s pleas for additional funding for the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project has fallen on deaf ears.
The State Budget handed down this work focused on health, safety, infrastructure for the 2032 Games infrastructure, and education.
Parents will also directly receive $100 Back to School Boost vouchers and $200 Play On! sports vouchers program.
The Government will deliver the promised new Toowoomba Hospital, adding at least 118 new beds to offer at least 538 overnight beds.
The hospital will now have all its health services located at the Baillie Henderson site, including a new cardiac lab, additional dialysis and an expanded emergency department.
Additional funding in 2025–26 will grow the health workforce to 5797 across the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.
Protea Place Women’s Support Centre in Toowoomba will receive $2.5 million over the next four years to support vulnerable women and children in the community.
The Budget locks in funding for the new Equestrian Centre of Excellence to be located at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. The centre is to host events for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Budget has committed $10 million to establish two new manufacturing hubs, with one in Toowoomba.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Budget delivered the foundation for a fresh start for the Darling Downs region.
“Today’s Budget delivers the fresh start Queensland needs and Queenslanders voted for, to address the crises in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We are delivering to restore safety where you live, health services when you need them, a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a plan for Queensland’s future.”
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said this Budget delivered for the people of the Darling Downs
“This is a budget that locks in funding for the new Toowoomba Hospital for better easier healthcare where you live and it also invests vital funds to ensure Protea Place keeps its doors open to ensure our most vulnerable women are cared for,” Mr Janetzki said.
“When we said the 2032 Olympics would be for all of Queensland, we meant it, and in this Budget, we ensure we can deliver a new Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba Showgrounds … to get the Darling Downs community games ready!”
Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said Toowoomba’s schools would benefit from the Budget.
“We’re delivering $8.9 million to enclose an existing covered area at Toowoomba North State School to provide a new multipurpose hall,” Mr Watts said.
Member for Condamine Pat Weir said the Budget delivered for regional communities.
“We’re delivering for the regions, including $27 million for safety upgrades to the Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road, $401,000 at Goombungee State School for playground and tuckshop improvements, additional frontline biosecurity officers, the new Toowoomba Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan and delivering a new Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, part of the 2032 Delivery Plan,” Mr Weir said.
Toowoomba’s Budget highlights:
- Toowoomba North State School – $8.9 million to enclose an existing covered area to provide a new multipurpose hall.
- Toowoomba’s Protea Place – $2.5 million of support to Toowoomba’s Protea Place, a crucial service that assists vulnerable women on the Darling Downs.
- Abandoned Mine Lands Program – $32.3 million for the management and mitigation of significant public safety, health and environmental risks at high-risk abandoned mine sites, including on the Darling Downs.
- Highfields fire and rescue stations – $2 million to acquire land for a replacement permanent and auxiliary fire and rescue station at Highfields.
- Critical maintenance for Queensland Museum Cobb+Co – $2.2 million to address critical maintenance projects to assist in the delivery of museum activities and exhibitions.
- Gabbinbar State School – $100,000 for new covered access pathways.
- Goombungee State School – $401,000 for school playground and tuckshop upgrades.
- Millmerran Multipurpose Health Service – $34.7 million to deliver a safe, compliant and contemporary health facility utilising a modern design, as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.
- Road safety upgrades for schools – $1 million towards safety upgrades that will impact schools in Wilsonton, Newtown and Highfields, and working with Council to explore options around the Stuart Street and North Street intersection and other traffic management issues.
- Queensland manufacturing hub – Boosting Queensland’s manufacturing capability with a new manufacturing hub in Toowoomba.
