Darling Downs Regional Economic Recovery Plan
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DARLING DOWNS REGIONAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY covid19.qld.gov.au A VISION FOR THE FUTURE Our vision for Queensland’s recovery The Darling Downs has some of from this pandemic is threefold – we are Queensland’s most productive and working to protect the health of every resource-rich terrain, with prime Queenslander, we are creating jobs, and agricultural land in the east stretching we are working together to create the to the cattle farms of the outback conditions for future success. in the west. Our regions are the key to building Our continued investment in transport Queensland’s economic recovery. It has infrastructure in the Darling Downs will taken a collaborative effort from every help cement its role as a major transport region to shape our plan for the future. and logistics hub for the state. There We will continue to partner – with are also opportunities for the region to governments, industries, businesses harness new technology and renewable and communities – to navigate this energy to build a prosperous future. new world for future growth. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging. MESSAGE FROM MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER THE TREASURER The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP The Honourable Cameron Dick MP This year has tested Queenslanders like no other. The Darling Downs has long been known as the food bowl of The COVID-19 pandemic has touched everyone and communities Queensland, with the livestock and agriculture industries driving in the Darling Downs have not been immune to its effects. the region’s economy, and producing food for people across Queensland, the nation and the world. Our response to COVID-19 has kept Queenslanders safe and allowed our economic recovery to begin. COVID-19 has placed an added layer of pressure on local jobs and the economy. This is on the back of years of drought and other My Government’s Economic Recovery Plan is all about protecting natural disasters hitting the region. Queenslanders’ health, creating jobs and working together. We know people have been doing it tough in the Darling Downs Importantly, this plan also recognises that growing our regions is a region. Even as restrictions have lifted and business have re- key priority for Queensland and vital to our State’s future success. opened, the demand for produce and export logistics have meant Our immediate commitment is to keep the region moving through primary producers can’t rely on their existing markets. extra support for businesses, workers and households – from To this end, we will partner with stakeholders in the region, to payroll tax relief to cost of living support. harness the potential of this unique agricultural powerhouse to Our recovery approach recognises that local industries such as drive recovery, create much needed jobs and kick start the regional agribusiness and tourism will continue to play a central role in the economy. region’s economy. It also seeks to harness emerging opportunities We are investing in existing industries and new technologies. for future growth to create long-term sustainable local jobs into This includes an agricultural technology and logistics hub the future. in Toowoomba, new feedlot facilities in Allora and a digital Together we will support those industries that have been the connectivity program across the Darling Downs. backbone of the Darling Downs economy. We will also invest in The Toowoomba Bypass which opened in September 2019, is more industries, more infrastructure and more businesses. expected to contribute more than $2.4 billion to the Toowoomba This is all about more local jobs. economy, improving freight effi ciency for Queensland’s primary I am so proud of the way the Darling Downs community has producers and industry. stepped up in these tough times. Our aim as a Government is unequivocal: to protect the health From the frontline health workers in Toowoomba Hospital to Steve and lifestyle of Queenslanders, create and sustain jobs, and work and Debbie Burns who accessed a Jobs Support Loan to ensure the together on our recovery. iconic Nindigully Pub could be open for business when COVID-19 We will be feeling the effects of the pandemic for some time, restrictions were lifted in July. but our steadfast commitment to the Darling Downs and all My Government remains committed to not only supporting the Queenslanders is to continue to manage the health crisis well, Darling Downs on the road to recovery but also making sure which will in turn allow us to drive economic growth. we position the region for future growth and job generating opportunities. SEPTEMBER 2020 3 SUPPORTING ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN QUEENSLAND In February 2020, Queensland implemented a swift and decisive response to the growing crisis, announcing measures to assist business and industry with resilience and recovery strategies, targeted financial support and counselling. Over in recovery $8 billionmeasures Queensland Future Fund to unlock surplus in the Defined Benefit Fund $5 billion and pay down debt Up $3 billion to $280M $500M savings plan unlocked by councils Backing Queensland for public works by over 4 years refinancing loans at Business Investment lower rates Fund $145M $249M $500M 3 Renewable extension to $400M tax relief for small and Renewable Energy Zones medium businesses Energy Fund 4 SEPTEMBER 2020 OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE IN DARLING DOWNS THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED MORE THAN $8 BILLION TO SUPPORT COVID-19 HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY INITIATIVES ACROSS THE STATE. KEY STATEWIDE INITIATIVES IN THE DARLING DOWNS REGION INCLUDE: M M M for jobs and skills, including building boost to support in electricity and water bill funding for the Back to Work, home owners, ‘tradies’ and relief for households and small Skilling Queenslanders for Work the construction industry, businesses, including a $200 and Reef Assist programs including a $5,000 regional rebate for households, and a home building grant $500 rebate for eligible small business and sole traders Up to M M .M in payroll tax relief statewide, land tax relief for property to freeze irrigation water including refunds and deferrals for owners which must be passed prices for 2020-21 and subsidise eligible businesses and tax exemption onto tenants in the form of $42 million worth of dam safety for JobKeeper payments, supporting rent relief upgrades over four years to lower 34,000 jobs on the Darling Downs costs for Queensland farmers Initiatives in the Darling Downs region include: SMALL BUSINESS ACCELERATED ROADWORKS WORKS FOR TRADIES ADAPTION GRANTS $88.4 million boost for roadworks in SOCIAL HOUSING Supporting Darling Downs small the Darling Downs region supported $8.4 million to boost construction businesses with 838 grants of up to by state and federal funding, in the Darling Downs region, and $10,000 totaling $7.4 million. including: deliver more safe, secure and • $13.9 million to widen and affordable homes for vulnerable JOBS SUPPORT LOANS strengthen sections of the New Queenslanders. 321 loans of up to $250,000 have England Highway between been approved for Darling Downs Yarraman and Toowoomba, DARLING DOWNS HEALTH supporting 23 jobs businesses, totalling $44.4 million. SERVICES • $11 million to replace the Rocky $130 million in extra funding for WORKS FOR QUEENSLAND Creek Bridge on Murphy’s Creek Darling Downs health services $14.2 million to Darling Downs Road, supporting 18 jobs to ramp up their COVID-19 councils for 31 maintenance and • $6.3 million to widen the Barwon preparations. minor infrastructure projects, Highway between Talwood and supporting 466 jobs. Nindigully, supporting 10 jobs. SEPTEMBER 2020 5 CASE STUDY WHAT IS THE LOCAL NEW DISTRIBUTION IMPACT OF CENTRE GIVES COVID-19? QUEENSLAND EXPORTS A LIFT WHILE OUR RECOVERY IS UNDERWAY, THE IMPACTS IN DARLING DOWNS The construction of a new regional trade distribution centre in Toowoomba will help to create local jobs and HAVE BEEN FELT ACROSS deliver Queensland produce and products to the world. MAJOR INDUSTRIES. Major property and infrastructure company, the Wagner Corporation, has fi nalised details ahead of construction starting on the centre at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport. Agriculture, forestry and gas production The project is made possible by a Queensland have remained steadier than many other Government investment of up to $10 million to support industries, however, travel restrictions the regional trade hub, focusing on exports, as part have impacted availability of the $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund to of seasonal and contract workers. create jobs and stimulate the economy. The hub will allow Darling Downs primary producers and A downturn in international commodity exporters to re-enter international marketplaces eager to prices has impacted primary producers access Queensland's high-quality products. and energy suppliers. The expansion will comprise state-of-the-art large cold and freezer rooms and both temperature-controlled and A reduction in airfreight services and ambient large transit areas. border closures have disrupted supply Wagner Corporation Chairman John Wagner said as a chains for both imports and exports. proud Toowoomba-based company they were delighted to be working with the Queensland Government on such Event cancellations have impacted many a fi rst-class export facility. small businesses in hospitality, tourism “We offer a very effi cient cargo service and it’s about and retail. quick access and quick turnarounds,” Mr Wagner said. “The growth includes major defence support and a focus There was a 3.6 per cent downturn in on perishable products to Asia and the Middle East, employee jobs in Toowoomba and a which we expect to return to normal post-COVID-19.” 5.1 per cent downturn in Darling Downs— Maranoa between 14 March and 11 July 2020.