Mayoral forum at USQ

Local voting citizens will have a chance to hear from the three Toowoomba Regional Council mayoral candidates at a public forum to be held at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) on Monday, 10 March 2008.

Ian Jones, Snow Manners and Peter Taylor will take part in a forum to be chaired by USQ's Dean of Students, Professor Rod St Hill.

Candidates will be required to present their answers to three set questions before members of the public will be given the opportunity to pose their own questions.

USQ's Director of Community Engagement Di Paez said it was important for the University to take a role in the upcoming elections.

'As the leading provider of higher education in the region and a major contributor to the local community it is essential the University encourages people to have their say and ask the important questions,' Ms Paez said.

'A part of community engagement is showing leadership in getting the important issues to the community.'

The questions will raise the issues of funding regional infrastructure, participation of the community in Council governance and changes that will occur under each member.

'We want to hear how the candidates are going to engage with the community,' Ms Paez said.

'There will also be ten minutes set aside for each of the candidates for members of the public to pose questions of each member.'

Members of the public are encouraged to arrive at the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre at 4:30pm for a 5pm start. The forum will run from 5–6pm.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559