Following an initial exchange of letters in 1981 between Whanganui City Council and Toowoomba City Council, a Sister City relationship was created in 1982 and has continued to grow, having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
To mark the occasion, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Mayor Paul Antonio and the TRC International Secretariat travelled to Whanganui in March to help further strengthen the relationship.
"The importance of continuing to grow international relationships and to explore the opportunities that arise from them will enhance our Region's liveability, productivity and sustainability," Mayor Antonio said.
"There are a lot of synergies between our two areas which has resulted in a range of sporting exchanges, friendship visits and youth exchanges.
"From this, the sharing of knowledge has brought a range of benefits to both cities, particularly in the establishment of the Youth Council and Safer Toowoomba Regional Partnership Inc.
"As part of this year's visit, we had an opportunity to meet the newly elected Council for Whanganui and to explore economic opportunities with their commercial organisations."
Key takeaways from these discussions include:
- Whanganui & Partners and TSBE have initiated discussions to explore trade opportunities and knowledge sharing between the two organisations
- Whanganui & Partners' Agribusiness Officer is proposing to visit Toowoomba in late May 2023. Appropriate arrangements will be made for her visit to optimise the opportunities
- Sarjeant Gallery staff and Council's gallery staff are able to engage in knowledge sharing regarding the management and storage of their vast collection
- TRC met with the Master Games Trust to look at opportunities for hosting future events in Toowoomba.
"I believe there is tremendous potential to bring the Masters Games to our Region, using a similar model to what is established in Whanganui," Mayor Antonio said.
"There have also been discussions for a reciprocal garden arrangement between our two Regions with Lake Annand identified as a suitable location to progress a New Zealand themed garden."
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 16 May, Council voted to note the report on the Toowoomba Regional Council Delegation visit to Whanganui, New Zealand from 1-4 March 2023.
