New neighbourhood centre for Toowoomba one step closer

Published Monday, 15 April, 2019 at 11:12 AM

Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

Residents living in the Wilsonton community will benefit from a new and larger neighbourhood centre thanks to Palaszczuk Government funding of up to $3.6 million.

Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke today (15 March) visited the existing neighbourhood centre and announced the Palaszczuk Government had secured additional land in Wilsonton for the construction of a new centre.

“The existing Wilsonton Neighbourhood Centre has served the community well from its current location since 2006,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Increased demand has meant the centre is no longer suitable to services the community’s needs.

“I am pleased that we have purchased land adjoining the site of the current centre and a new purpose-built Wilsonton Neighbourhood Centre will be constructed across the two combined sites.

“The site remains ideal for the delivery of services to the Wilsonton community and is located near a local park.”

The existing Wilsonton Neighbourhood Centre will be relocated to alternative premises while the new centre is constructed.

Construction is expected to commence, subject to approvals, in February 2020.

“Construction not only means a new centre, it also means construction jobs,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“We’ve seen 800 jobs created in the Toowoomba region on the past year and almost 185,000 jobs created across Queensland since January 2015.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to focus on job-creating investments in growing communities like Toowoomba.”

Mrs O’Rourke said Wilsonton was one of several new neighbourhood centres that are planned across Queensland.

“We have purchased land or begun work on new neighbourhood centres at Inala, Murgon, Moranbah and Kallangur,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Funding has been also been allocated towards new neighbourhood centres at Bowen, Yarrabilba, Jimboomba and Thursday Island.”

Mrs O’Rourke said the new centre was an example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to creating thriving communities across the state.

“We want to create thriving communities where people, regardless of their personal circumstances, are able to participate in their communities, be resilient and enjoy social and economic wellbeing,” she said.

For more information on how the Palaszczuk Government is supporting neighbourhood centres across Queensland, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/community/your-home-community

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389