Upcoming 2022 projects

Southern Downs Regional Council.

By Emily-Rose Toohey

Southern Downs Regional Council have plans to undertake a plethora of projects in the region throughout 2022.

However, Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi said council’s first major priority is establishing a budget.

“January is the month where a lot of the groundwork really starts to be put together,” Cr Pennisi said.

“Focus will be on every department and what they need for their department.”

He said there are some interesting projects in the pipeline, including the beginnings of extensions to the Stanthorpe Art Gallery and Library.

“That’s one big project that should materialise as we go through this year,” Cr Pennisi said.

He said another project includes potential funding for the saleyards.

“That’s a project that we will certainly be focusing on,” Cr Pennisi said.

“I would also expect that the drag strip will be finished soon and the first drag club meeting will happen out there for the quarter mile.

“I’d like to think we can also complete the pipeline to Morgan Park with effluent water and we can increase our footpaths around the place.”

Other items Cr Pennisi said needed addressing included evaluating how waste is being dealt with in the region through waste streams.

“We’ve also got a lot of road work that we need to bring to fruition,” he said.

“We need to finalise the claims through the Reconstruction Authority first.”

As of this stage, the final item Cr Pennisi said was in store for the year is Emu Swamp Dam.

“Hopefully the impediments will vaporise somehow and we can get on with that project,” he said.

Nonetheless, Cr Pennisi said there is still plenty to do throughout the region.