Environment and Community Committee - 2 June 2026

Topics

• Council backs proposal to rename park for Dr John Swarbrick
  A council committee has advanced a proposal to rename a local park after Dr John Swarbrick, despite recorded objections from some residents.
  Park names are publicly visible and can prompt debate over local history, commemoration and Indigenous naming.

Decisions

• Rename Lot 51 SP191619 to Dr John Swarbrick Park
  The committee recommendation was to resolve to rename the park Lot 51 SP191619 as 'Dr John Swarbrick Park' and install suitable park naming signage.
  If adopted by Council, residents would see the park formally renamed and signposted.

Discussion

• Park naming consultation and objections
  The report noted that most respondents supported the proposed name, but there was not unanimous agreement and nine objections were recorded, including calls for an Indigenous name or retention of the existing park name.
  This affects how a local park is named and reflects differing community views on heritage, recognition and place identity.
• Naming policy for community infrastructure
  The meeting material reiterated that new community infrastructure should generally be named at official opening, while renaming is only for extraordinary cases under Council policy.
  This sets the rules Council uses when considering future naming requests for parks and other facilities.

Impacts

• Potential change to the park name from Prince Henry Drive Park to Dr John Swarbrick Park.
• Possible installation of new park signage if the recommendation is adopted.
• Community members may have ongoing interest in how Council balances local history, First Nations naming and commemorative naming.

Places

• Lot 51 SP191619 (park/site)
  The park subject to the naming recommendation.
• Prince Henry Drive Park (park)
  The existing park name referenced in objections and the renaming proposal.
• Toowoomba Region (region)
  The local government area referenced in consultation feedback.
• Middle Ridge (suburb)
  A suburb mentioned in community feedback on the naming proposal.
• Ballard (locality/suburb)
  A place cited in relation to an objection and alternative naming suggestion.

Next

• Council to consider the committee recommendation to rename the park
  At a future Council meeting
• If approved, install suitable park naming signage
  After Council approval

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 29 Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Committee 2 June 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Reports 3.Naming of Park - Dr John Swarbrick 4.Meeting Concluded of 29 REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE E...