Council welcomes $200,000 Queensland government grant
Published on 07 October 2025
Goondiwindi Regional Council is pleased to announce it has secured a $200,000 grant from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads towards connecting the Texas Apex toilets to the town’s sewerage network. The total project cost is estimated at $250,000 for the upgrades required to meet Queensland Government environmental compliance.
The Texas Apex toilets were built more than 40 years ago by dedicated local Apex volunteers, and as such were constructed to past standards. About 20 years ago, the Apex Club gifted the toilets to the then Inglewood Shire Council.
Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM has also thanked the Queensland Government for this generous contribution.
“With the bulk of users of the Texas Apex toilets being truck drivers and travellers, it was important that Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads contribute to the project costs to reduce the burden on ratepayers,” the Mayor said. “During a recent visit to our region by Minister Mickelberg MP and Director-General Sally Stannard, I expressed the need to share costs for this project to allow the toilets to remain open to the benefit of main road users and the local community.
“The contribution of dedicated Apex volunteers over 40 years ago is a testament to the community pride and spirit that continues to this day in Texas, and we are pleased to be able to continue to honour them through this partnership with the Queensland government.”
Councillor Julia Spicer holds Council’s Water and Sewerage portfolio and said the upgrades are mandatory to meet the Queensland Government environmental requirements of managing sewage near a waterway.
“It’s further complicated by the flood-prone nature of the existing site,” Cr Spicer said. “The proposed works will connect the public toilets to the town sewerage supply and reduce the current ongoing costs of repair.
“Initial advice from the department was that there was no funding available for the upgrades, but thanks to strong advocacy from Council on behalf of residents, it is excellent news that we’ve now received the bulk of the funds to undertake the works.”
Council first raised concerns about the future of the Texas Apex toilets with the Texas community in November 2024, and undertook consultation with local businesses, community groups, and individuals on the future of the Texas Apex toilets.
Since the Apex toilets were first constructed, additional public toilets have been added in Texas at Avon Street, the All Abilities Park, and Lions Club community gardens. These more recent facilities generally serve the needs of the Texas population, including encouraging RV and caravan visitors to enter the main street to spend money locally. The Apex Park toilets differ by predominantly catering for truck drivers or travellers intending to pass through the township.
Cr Spicer said community consultation over the past 12 months revealed that many residents held the former Apex Club - and their passion to deliver the toilets - in high regard.
“However, there was a strong expectation that the Queensland Government should contribute to the upgrades - not Council ratepayer funds,” Cr Spicer said. “This makes the allocated $200,000 such a wonderful announcement.”
Council remains committed to the maintenance and upgrade of existing community facilities to meet the needs of local communities, while upholding its commitment to financial responsibility.
The Apex toilet upgrades are not scheduled within this financial year’s works program - completion is expected in late 2026.