Corporate Services Committee - 10 November 2026

Topics

• Council reviews first-quarter performance across Toowoomba Region services
  The committee’s quarterly review found most services operating at or near existing levels and within adopted budgets, while identifying selected staffing and workload pressures.
  Residents receive a formal progress report on Council’s 2026/27 commitments, service standards and financial performance.
• Regional bus trials and Flexilink services move closer to delivery
  A Clifton bus trial and weekend Flexilink services connecting Goombungee, Highfields and Clifton have been released to market as Council works with transport authorities on broader expansions.
  Residents in regional communities could gain new or improved public transport options, although the supplied report does not confirm final operators or start dates.
• New Toowoomba Planning Scheme remains on track for 2027/28 completion
  Council continues work on the new planning scheme and a replacement Local Government Infrastructure Plan while engaging State and technical advisers.
  Future planning controls and infrastructure requirements may affect developers, landowners and residents across the region.

Decisions

• 2026/27 Operational Plan quarterly report
  The committee recommended that Council note organisational performance to 30 September 2026 and adopt the recommended change to the 2026/27 Operational Plan.
  Provides a public check on Council’s progress, service delivery and budget performance during the current financial year.
• Customer-service performance measure
  The report proposed removing the Customer Net Promoter Score measure because it is considered a poor fit for local government. Customer Satisfaction and Customer Effort Score measures will remain.
  Future reporting on Council customer service will rely on satisfaction and effort measures rather than residents’ likelihood of recommending Council.

Discussion

• Public transport initiatives
  Council is working with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Translink on improved regional public transport. Additional Carnival of Flowers bus services were provided, while the Clifton bus trial and weekend Flexilink services linking Goombungee, Highfields and Clifton were released to market.
  The initiatives may improve access to public transport for residents in Clifton, Goombungee, Highfields and surrounding areas, subject to procurement and service arrangements.
• Service and budget performance
  Most services were reported as operating at or near established levels and within adopted budgets. Fleet and Logistics expenditure was 6% under year-to-date budget, while Information, Communication and Technology resolved 92% of 7,348 tickets within agreed timeframes.
  The report indicates generally stable Council services, with some areas experiencing workload, staffing or resourcing pressures.
• Planning scheme and infrastructure planning
  Work continued on the new Toowoomba Planning Scheme, targeted for completion in the 2027/28 financial year, alongside State and technical advisory engagement. A new Local Government Infrastructure Plan is being developed, with an expected November 2026 milestone for the planning scheme.
  Planning scheme and infrastructure-plan changes can affect future development, land use, infrastructure charges and growth across the region.
• Community grants and venues
  The 2026/27 Community Grants round received 94 applications, of which 79 were assessable. Phase 1 of the OptimoGov booking and venue-management platform also brought 15 community venues and 48 bookable spaces online.
  Community organisations may be affected by grant outcomes, while residents and hirers can use a more integrated system to find and book community facilities.

Impacts

• Council services are generally continuing at existing levels within adopted budgets.
• Customer-service reporting will retain Customer Satisfaction and Customer Effort Score measures instead of Customer Net Promoter Score.
• Public transport trials and service expansions are progressing through market and government engagement processes.
• The new planning scheme and Local Government Infrastructure Plan may influence future development and infrastructure decisions.
• Community organisations may be affected by the assessment and release of 2026/27 grant funding.

Places

• Toowoomba Region (regional council area)
  Area covered by the Operational Plan, transport advocacy and regional service delivery.
• Clifton (town)
  Location of a proposed bus trial and a weekend Flexilink service connection.
• Goombungee (town)
  Origin of a proposed weekend Flexilink connection to Highfields.
• Highfields (town)
  Destination of a proposed weekend Flexilink connection from Goombungee.
• Millmerran Customer Service Centre (facility)
  Renovation is underway to prepare for relocation of the Millmerran Community Support Services team.
• Quinalow (locality)
  Location of community conversations reported under Community Development.
• Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (facility)
  Operational reporting reflected its closure since November 2025.

Next

• Council to consider the committee recommendation to note the first-quarter Operational Plan performance report and adopt the proposed Operational Plan change.
  Following the committee meeting; exact Council decision date is not stated.
• Continue work with TMR and Translink on bus-service expansions and progress the Clifton and Flexilink market processes.
  Ongoing.
• Continue preparation of the new Toowoomba Planning Scheme and engage with the State and Technical Advisory Committee.
  Planning scheme project is due for completion in the 2027/28 financial year; a November 2026 milestone is noted.
• Assess 2026/27 Community Grants applications and release funding agreements.
  Funding agreements were expected in the coming weeks.

Extract

TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE Members of the Committee Councillor Bill Cahill Councillor Edwina Farquhar Councillor Gary Gardner Councillor Trevor Manteufel His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Geoff McDonald Councillor Tim McMahon Councillor James O'Shea Councillor Kerry Shine Councillor Carol Taylor Councillor Melissa Taylor Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff of 47 Toowoomba Regional Council Corporate Services Committee 10 November 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Reports 3.2026/27 Operational Plan Progress Report Year to Date (Quarter 1) 4.Meeting Concluded of 47 REPORT O...