Environment and Community Committee - 12 May 2026

Topics

• Council backs 2026-27 fire mitigation plan
  Committee recommends adopting the annual fire mitigation plan covering bushfire risk works and prescribed burns.
  The plan affects bushfire preparedness and can influence when and where works occur on council-managed land.

Decisions

• Annual Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2026-27 recommended for adoption
  The committee recommendation was that Council adopt the Annual Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2026-27. The plan covers mechanical (non-burning) mitigation works and prescribed burning actions under the Fire Management Strategy - Bushland Parks and Dams Estate.
  Affects local bushfire risk management, with planned works and burning activity intended to reduce fire risk across council-managed land.

Discussion

• Public release of the fire mitigation plan
  The plan is to be made publicly available on the council website from 30 June 2026, initially in table form and updated quarterly, with an interactive online map being investigated.
  Residents will be able to see where and when fire mitigation actions are planned and track progress over time.
• Bushfire risk management approach
  The plan outlines both mechanical mitigation and prescribed burning actions for council's bushland parks and dams estate.
  This informs residents about how council is managing fire hazards in green spaces and around waterways.

Impacts

• Potential prescribed burns and mechanical vegetation works in council-managed bushland and dam areas.
• Improved public access to information about fire risk management actions from 30 June 2026.
• Ongoing quarterly updates may help residents understand changing fire mitigation works near them.

Places

• Toowoomba Regional Council area (local government area)
  Council-wide fire mitigation planning applies across the bushland parks and dams estate.
• Bushland Parks and Dams Estate (council land estate)
  The fire mitigation plan applies to this estate.

Next

• Council to consider adopting the Annual Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2026-27
  Following committee recommendation
• Publish the fire mitigation plan on the council website
  From 30 June 2026
• Provide quarterly progress updates and investigate an interactive online map
  Ongoing after publication

Extract

TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY 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 16 Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Committee 12 May 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Reports 3.Annual Fire Mitigation Plan 2026-27 4.Meeting Concluded of 16 REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE...