Ordinary Meeting of Council - 17 February 2026

Key decisions

• Petition for mobile library service in Nobby received
  Council received and tabled a petition with 117 signatures requesting the Toowoomba Regional Council Mobile Library Service add a regular Nobby stop, potentially by taking over the Mount Tyson stop on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month and operating later in the day or early evening.
  Nobby residents may gain improved access to library services if Council later acts on the petition.
• Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy adoption deferred
  A motion to approve the draft Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy and begin its five-year action plan was lost. Council then carried a foreshadowed motion to defer consideration until a councillor workshop is held before the end of April 2026, with a report to return in May 2026, and for councillors to receive legal advice about releasing confidential Attachment 3.
  Changes to parking rules, pricing, permits and implementation across Toowoomba and other centres have been delayed pending further review.

Important topics

• People First Bank branch closure response
  Council reported that People First Bank advised a co-location trial of bank staff in Council facilities at Millmerran, Oakey and Pittsworth could not proceed because suitable premises and security requirements could not be met. The CEO will continue discussions on other collaboration options.
  Residents in towns affected by branch closures should not expect an immediate replacement banking service through Council facilities.
• Water and infrastructure budget adjustments
  Budget and program changes referenced major works including funding carried forward for a new Southern Water Treatment Plant land acquisition, wastewater design work for Drayton, Wellcamp and Westbrook, and road rehabilitation reallocations and deferrals across several projects.
  These changes affect timing and funding of water security and transport infrastructure projects across the region.
• Parking strategy scope and likely future changes
  The draft strategy under consideration includes measures around pay-by-plate technology, permit systems, active and equitable transport, advocacy for off-street parking at major state-led developments, and investigating park-and-ride and bike parking facilities.
  Residents and businesses may still see parking reform proposals return in May 2026, especially in the Toowoomba CBD and surrounding areas.

Resident impacts

• Nobby residents formally raised lack of local library access through a 117-signature petition.
• Any rollout of new parking strategy measures has been postponed until at least May 2026.
• Residents in Millmerran, Oakey and Pittsworth are unlikely to receive a Council-hosted People First Bank service in the short term.
• Water supply planning for a new Southern Water Treatment Plant remains a strategic priority for future growth.
• Some road rehabilitation and reconstruction projects were rephased, over-budget, or deferred to future years.

Places affected

• Nobby (town)
  Subject of petition seeking a new mobile library stop and later operating hours.
• Mount Tyson (locality)
  Existing mobile library stop suggested for takeover to service Nobby.
• Clifton (town)
  Nearest existing library for Nobby residents mentioned in the petition.
• Toowoomba CBD (centre)
  Main area affected by the deferred parking strategy and related parking reforms.
• Millmerran (town)
  One of the towns affected by People First Bank branch closures and proposed co-location discussions.
• Oakey (town)
  One of the towns affected by People First Bank branch closures and proposed co-location discussions.
• Pittsworth (town)
  One of the towns affected by People First Bank branch closures and proposed co-location discussions.
• Southern Water Treatment Plant (facility)
  Land acquisition and future project planning referenced as strategically critical for water supply.

Next steps

• Council workshop on the Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy to be held
  Before the end of April 2026
• Parking Strategy report to return to Council after workshop
  May 2026 Ordinary Meeting
• Councillors to receive legal advice about making confidential parking attachment public
  Before the strategy returns to Council
• CEO to continue engagement with People First Bank on other possible collaboration options
  Ongoing
• Potential further consideration of the Nobby mobile library petition
  Not specified

Extracted minutes text

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 367 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Council 17 February 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners 2.Reception of Deputations or Delegations by Appointment 3.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence, Granting Leaves of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest 4.Confirmation of Minutes - Ordinary Meeting of Council of 20 January 2026 5.Business Arising out of Minutes of Previous Meeting 6.Presentation of Petitions 6.1.Petiti...