Premier opens 68th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Published Saturday, 16 September, 2017 at 02:32 PM

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Toowoomba is one of Australia’s great inland cities, and it’s undoubtedly the most beautiful.

My parents and I were fortunate enough to know gardening guru Colin Campbell. Sadly Col died five years ago.

When Col was at the Carnival in 2010, he explained why Toowoomba was the Garden City. He said and I quote –

“This rich volcanic soil, combine that with an average rainfall nigh on 1000 millimetres a year and you can understand why this is a beaut place to garden”.

Col knew better than most that good soils, reliable rain, carefully selected plants - in the right hands with at least one green thumb - are the secret to great gardens.

I am pleased the Government was able to contribute (with a $313,000 grant) to upgrade of Peacehaven Botanic Park at Highfields, and thank those 15 workers employed from design to completion on the beautiful result.

At this - the 68th annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – can I pay tribute to those gardeners, who have made the public parks, streets, yards and homes around the city look so stunning.

Ladies and gentlemen, as Australia’s longest running horticultural event, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a major tourism drawcard for this region and for Queensland.

Last year, it attracted 197,000 people – the equivalent of four full Suncorp Stadiums.

Based on today’s crowds and this weekend’s weather, I expect we might exceed last year’s crowds.

I am proud to say that my Government – through Tourism and Events Queensland – has locked in its support for the Carnival for three years, and my Cabinet will meet here on Monday.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791