Ordinary Meeting of Council - 15 September 2026

Topics

• Council approves fluoridation for Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton water supply
  Toowoomba Regional Council approved adding fluoride to treated water from the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant while approving the plant contract and extra dosing scope.
  Residents in four communities may see a change to their treated water supply, making this a significant public-health and infrastructure decision.
• Southern Water Treatment Plant moves to early-contractor procurement
  Council chose an expressions-of-interest process before tendering the design and construction contract for the Southern Water Treatment Plant.
  The decision marks a procurement milestone for a major water project and may shape how the plant is designed and delivered.
• Millmerran Domville Place project approved with $30,000 annual council commitment
  Council approved a partnership to fund and develop Domville Place and committed an additional $30,000 a year for future operation, maintenance and depreciation.
  The decision delivers a local community project while creating an ongoing cost for council budgets.

Decisions

• August financial performance received
  Council received the Monthly Financial Performance Statement for the period ending 31 August 2026. The report recorded $282.6 million in unrestricted cash, $180.8 million in debt, a 13.75-month unrestricted cash expense cover ratio and a 1.37 leverage ratio. The 2026/27 budget includes a $236 million capital works program and a $5.4 million operating surplus.
  The figures indicate strong short-term liquidity, but the report also warns that the asset sustainability ratio is below target and that spending is weighted towards new and upgrade works rather than renewals.
• Domville Place, Millmerran funding and development approved
  Council approved funding and development of Domville Place, Millmerran, generally in line with the site masterplan. The Chief Executive Officer may negotiate a partnership agreement with Millmerran Commerce and Progress Inc. Council will provide an additional $30,000 per year in future operational budgets for maintenance and depreciation, and will receive an end-of-project summary.
  The decision supports a new community asset in Millmerran and creates an ongoing annual cost for operation and maintenance.
• Road development concepts supported
  Council agreed to support road development concepts and preliminary business cases for improved road network outcomes around Wellcamp State School and around Wirth Road, Toowoomba Speedway and the Warrego Highway junction. The work is intended to support advocacy for Queensland and Australian Government funding.
  The work may inform future intersection and network upgrades in areas affected by school, industrial, event and highway traffic, but does not itself approve construction funding.
• Park renamings approved
  Council resolved to rename Lot 51 SP191619 as Dr John Swarbrick Park and the existing unnamed Cory Street Park as Geoff Dickins Park. Suitable park signage is to be installed at both locations.
  Residents will see the new names reflected in signage and future council communications.
• Greenmount Water Treatment Plant contract and fluoridation scope approved
  Council approved awarding the Four Communities Project Greenmount Water Treatment Plant contract to the preferred tenderer and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to execute the contract. It also approved adding a fluoride dosing plant and fluoridating treated water supplied to Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton, with Queensland Health to be advised and the decision published as required by the Water Fluoridation Act 2008.
  The project and decision will affect the treatment and composition of the reticulated water supply in four communities. The contract value and tenderer were contained in confidential material and were not provided in the extract.
• Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery redevelopment design work progressed
  Council noted the need for substantial capital intervention to reopen the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and endorsed progressing Functional Brief, Schematic Design, Design Development and Detailed Design work using Concept Options 3 and 4 as the basis for refinement, cost validation and risk reduction. No final construction scope, delivery method or project budget was approved.
  The gallery remains closed while council undertakes further design and cost work; a later decision will be required before construction proceeds.
• Southern Water Treatment Plant procurement process approved
  Council resolved that it is in the public interest to invite expressions of interest from shortlisted proponents before written tenders, enabling an Early Contractor Involvement process leading to a design and construction contract for the Southern Water Treatment Plant.
  This is a procurement milestone for a major future water infrastructure project, but it is not yet an award of the construction contract.
• Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme progress noted
  Council noted progress on the planning scheme project for 18 May to 14 August 2026. The project was reported as on track for State Interest Review in October 2026, public consultation in early 2027 and formal adoption in November 2027.
  Future planning controls will affect development applications, land use and infrastructure planning across the region. Public consultation is expected in early 2027.
• Confidential Empire Theatres decisions made
  After a closed session, Council appointed Matthew Torr as a director of Empire Theatres Foundation Ltd for three years from 15 September 2026. It also authorised an Empire Theatres Pty Ltd Audit Committee remuneration pool of $35,000 plus superannuation per year, subject to Council approval of allocations.
  These decisions affect governance and operating costs for council-associated theatre entities, although the supporting confidential reports were not publicly detailed in the extract.

Discussion

• Financial sustainability and capital works
  August results showed favourable operating income and expenditure variances, including additional disaster recovery revenue and lower-timed contract expenditure. Capital expenditure was $8.99 million below budget, while the capital works mix was reported as 18% renewals and 82% new or upgrade works against a 60% renewals target.
  The cash position is strong, but the low renewal share may create longer-term asset maintenance and sustainability pressures.
• Disaster recovery funding advocacy
  Council material criticised the proposed national Disaster Recovery Funding Framework, particularly a universal 50:50 cost-sharing model, and argued for arrangements that account for equity, thresholds, reimbursement rates and the capacity of jurisdictions.
  Changes to disaster funding could affect the cost borne by local and state governments after floods, fires and other disasters, and could influence future recovery works in the region.
• Bushfire preparedness
  Council reported that its 2026-27 Fire Mitigation Action Plan is publicly available, with further community engagement, disaster management exercises and regional briefings planned. Queensland Fire Department advice indicates aerial firefighting resources will be deployed to all fire incidents.
  Residents can review the mitigation plan and should expect ongoing preparedness activities before the fire season.
• Dog off-leash area consultation in Pittsworth
  Park Strategy officers met with Pittsworth residents and interested parties about possible locations and community involvement in selecting a future dog off-leash area. The meeting followed a community petition.
  The location and design of a future off-leash area remain under consideration, with further community consultation expected.
• Regional air connectivity advocacy
  Council is continuing discussions with QantasLink, Wellcamp Airport and other stakeholders to advocate for improved air connectivity for the Toowoomba Region.
  Improved services could affect regional travel choices, business access and connectivity for residents, but no service change was announced.
• Brisbane 2032 equine opportunities
  An equine industry forum at Clifford Park Racecourse considered economic, infrastructure and legacy opportunities associated with Toowoomba as the proposed host region for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events.
  The initiative may create future opportunities and infrastructure impacts for the region's equine industry, although no funding decision was identified.

Impacts

• Fluoride is to be added to treated water supplied to Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton, subject to the approved project and statutory notification requirements.
• Domville Place in Millmerran will be developed through a council partnership, with an additional $30,000 per year to be included in future operating budgets.
• Dr John Swarbrick Park and Geoff Dickins Park will receive new names and signage.
• The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery reopening remains subject to further design, cost and risk assessment; construction has not yet been approved.
• The planning scheme is scheduled for State Interest Review in October 2026 and public consultation in early 2027.
• A future Pittsworth dog off-leash area is being investigated following community petition activity.

Places

• Domville Place, Millmerran (community facility/project site)
  Approved for funding and development through a partnership with Millmerran Commerce and Progress Inc.
• Cambooya (town and water service area)
  Included in the area to be supplied with fluoridated treated water from the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant.
• Greenmount (town and water service area)
  Included in the area to be supplied with fluoridated treated water from the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant.
• Nobby (town and water service area)
  Included in the area to be supplied with fluoridated treated water from the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant.
• Clifton (town and water service area)
  Included in the area to be supplied with fluoridated treated water from the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant.
• Wellcamp State School and Toowoomba Cecil Plains Road (road and school area)
  Subject of a supported road development concept and preliminary business case.
• Wirth Road, Toowoomba Speedway and Warrego Highway junction (road and transport area)
  Subject of a supported road development concept and preliminary business case.
• Pittsworth (town and community area)
  Subject of consultation about a possible dog off-leash area.

Next

• Negotiate and execute the Domville Place partnership agreement and later provide an end-of-project summary.
  Following the 15 September 2026 approval; project timing was not specified.
• Include an additional $30,000 per year for Domville Place operation, maintenance and depreciation in future operational budgets.
  Future annual budgets.
• Progress Greenmount Water Treatment Plant contracting and the fluoride dosing scope, and advise Queensland Health and publish the fluoridation decision.
  During project implementation; exact dates were not stated.
• Invite expressions of interest for the Southern Water Treatment Plant Early Contractor Involvement process.
  Next procurement stage; date not specified.
• Complete further design phases and report back on the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery findings before any final construction decision.
  Future design phases; timing not specified.
• Prepare the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme for State Interest Review, public consultation and formal adoption.
  October 2026, early 2027 and November 2027 respectively.
• Continue consultation on potential Pittsworth dog off-leash area locations.
  Coming period; no date specified.

Extract

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 128 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Council 15 September 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 5.Business Arising out of Minutes of Previous Meetings 6.Presentation of Petitions 7.Business for which the Mayor wishes to have considered...