TSBE & WDRC partnership to strengthen economic opportunity in the Western Downs

Western Downs Regional Council has this week announced a strategic partnership with Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), set to strengthen business outlook and opportunities in the region.

  • This strategic partnership between Western Downs Regional Council and TSBE will extend Council’s reach into the local and wider business communities, ensuring the message “The Western Downs is Open for Business” is heard;
  • Council is excited to partner with an organisation that exemplifies the same innovative approach to stimulating economic investment and business attraction in the Western Downs region;
    Council and TSBE look forward to working towards a shared goal of harnessing the potential the region has to offer;
  • The partnership formally recognises the opportunity to promote the unique capability of the wider Western Downs region to both national and international audiences.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said the partnership was a chance to not only showcase the unique characteristics of the region, but to inspire national attention within the area.

“Here in the Western Downs we are fortunate enough to be sitting on a diverse economy made up of not only agriculture and industry, but also resources and renewables, and having those four pillars as part of the economy is a huge boon for our region,” he said.

“We are looking forward to creating an increased reach for both Council and TSBE by pooling our knowledge and resources to work together in this partnership.”

Western Downs Regional Council helped drive the formation of the Surat Basin Corporation, which later merged with Toowoomba Regional Enterprise to form TSBE.

Council Spokesperson for Economic Development Councillor Donna Ashurst said the alliance shown by TSBE was a clear indicator of those wanting to align themselves with a Council who understood economic opportunity.

“There is so much happening in our region at present, and I think the fact both Council and TSBE have jumped at a chance to partner to promote and foster those opportunities is a testament to the innovative thinking of our area,” she said.

TSBE Executive Chairman Shane Charles said the partnership would strengthen investment attraction, business interest and engagement, and supply chain servicing in the Western Downs.

“Conferences and networking events are a great way for current and potential businesses and players in the marketplace to understand the challenges and opportunities available, and we are working to create a dynamic offering that showcases the region’s potential,” he said.

“Mayor Paul McVeigh, CEO Ross Musgrove and the team of Councillors have created an environment where new developers want to come to the region because of the ease of dealing with Council in the process from proposal to approval.

“New projects now know that the Western Downs has the unrivalled capability in the region to deliver big projects on time and on budget with many fantastically capable local contractors.”