The Mayors of South East Queensland have converged virtually on Canberra, hosting online meetings this week with Government and Opposition representatives ahead of the upcoming 2022 Federal Election.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Deputy Chair and Toowoomba Mayor, Paul Antonio said the delegation ensured the South East remained a top priority for both major parties ahead of the upcoming election.
“South East Queensland is already home to one in seven Australians. Within 20 years South East Queensland will be the size of Greater Sydney today, and this growth has been further accelerated by increased interstate migration,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Population growth and traffic congestion will continue to be one of our region’s greatest economic, social and environmental challenges. Without significant investment in regional infrastructure our transport networks will struggle to cater for this growth let alone the additional load the Brisbane 2032 Games will bring.”
Mayor Antonio said the Mayors had discussed key priorities including finalising and growing the SEQ City Deal, funding for the region’s transport and freight networks, and the need for investment towards the region’s environment, waterways and lifestyle.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Treasurer and Redlands Mayor, Karen Williams said CoMSEQ had started the bidding process for the 2032 Olympics with the goal of putting a deadline on building the roads, bridges and rail needed to support the region into the future.
“This whole exercise was always about building a better-connected region, and about protecting and growing our way of life,” Cr Williams said.
“Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games will be a truly regional Games and so we need investment to spread across the region and beyond to ensure our communities can get where they need to go safer and faster.
“Securing this infrastructure will require support from all levels of Government so in the lead up to this year’s election we’re keen to partner with the Federal Government to secure a positive legacy for our communities.”
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) represents 11 Councils and more than three million residents of South East Queensland. Its membership includes Brisbane, Ipswich, Noosa, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba Councils.
