Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Mayor Paul Antonio has officially opened Council's new $67 million Principal Depot at 24 Nass Road in Charlton.
Mayor Antonio said the Depot's construction was a significant investment into our local economy during a challenging time.
"The facility includes a central operations building, three workshops, a central store, a nursery and the Toowoomba Group State Emergency Service (SES) Headquarters," Mayor Antonio said.
"The new facility delivers a modern and sustainable facility while providing a safer, more productive working environment for Council staff.
"This project has been a significant boost to local jobs and businesses with 49 local contractors were engaged during the construction.
"Constructing the new Depot will facilitate the efficient delivery of essential services and infrastructure across the Toowoomba Region now and into the future.
"The benefits go beyond construction with the new facility also supporting local jobs and businesses across our Region for years to come."
In opening the facility, Mayor Antonio recognised the critical role the Depot will play in supporting industrial development and economic growth within Charlton.
"Charlton is at the heart of the Toowoomba Trade Gateway, one of Queensland's leading transport, logistics and industrial hubs," Mayor Antonio said.
"Council's investment in the depot will give businesses and industry the confidence to invest in the Toowoomba Trade Gateway and the wider Region."
TRC Environment and Community Committee Chair Cr James O'Shea said the facility incorporates many sustainable features to minimise Council's footprint.
"The depot will run entirely on solar power, from solar panels on the rooftop of the central operations building and the main workshop," Cr O'Shea said.
"The installation of a 750 kilolitre rainwater tank allows the capture of runoff from building rooftops to operate the amenities and provide irrigation for the site."
Cr O'Shea said around 500 staff from the Oakey and Harristown depots and the Toowoomba Nursery would relocate to the Depot in a staged approach from June to December 2020.
"As we face the challenges of COVID-19, the health and safety of staff moving to the depot is our number one priority," Cr O'Shea said.
"Staging the relocation enables us to adhere to the social distancing requirements necessary to provide a safe physical distance between teams and individuals both during and after the move."
Toowoomba Regional Council predominantly funded the Principal Depot project with support from the Queensland Government.
