Ordinary Meeting of Council - 18 August 2026

Topics

• Council adopts new infrastructure charges resolution for development
  Toowoomba Regional Council adopted Charges Resolution No. 8, effective immediately, changing the framework used for infrastructure charges.
  Developers and future subdivision applicants may face different infrastructure-charge obligations, with potential flow-on effects for development costs and housing supply.
• Mount Lofty 50-lot subdivision approval motion fails after bushfire and environmental debate
  A motion to approve a 50-lot subdivision at Rifle Range Road, Mount Lofty, was lost after extensive discussion of bushfire evacuation, road connections, vegetation, stormwater and slope stability.
  The proposal affects nearby residents and raises questions about safe access and emergency evacuation in a steep, bushfire-prone area. The extract does not state the application’s final status.
• Council review flags different financial futures for Toowoomba’s aerodromes
  An operational review found Toowoomba City Aerodrome has a material lease-based revenue stream, while regional aerodromes generate limited commercial income and may require subsidies or service payments.
  The findings could shape future leasing, fees, outsourcing, maintenance and Council funding decisions across the aviation network.

Decisions

• Infrastructure Charges Resolution No. 8 adopted
  Council adopted the new Infrastructure Charges Resolution as Charges Resolution No. 8, effective 18 August 2026.
  The resolution may affect infrastructure charges associated with future development approvals and subdivision activity.
• July monthly financial performance statement received
  Council received the Monthly Financial Performance Statement for the period ending 31 July 2026, including operating, capital, disaster-recovery funding and confidential investment reports.
  The report shows Council’s current financial position, project spending and cash available for services and infrastructure.
• 50-lot Mount Lofty subdivision application was not approved
  A motion to approve application RAL/2025/5915 to reconfigure two lots into 50 lots at 2A and 2B Rifle Range Road, Mount Lofty, was lost. The extracted material does not state the final disposition of the application after the failed motion.
  The proposal involved new residential lots, roads, bushfire evacuation arrangements, vegetation protection, stormwater and earthworks in Mount Lofty.
• Aerodromes operational review noted
  Council noted the Toowoomba Region Aerodromes Operational Review Final Report, July 2026, covering Toowoomba City Aerodrome, Pittsworth Aerodrome, Millmerran Aerodrome and Crows Nest Helipad.
  The review identifies possible efficiency and cost-reduction opportunities while considering ongoing compliance, security and service obligations.
• October Ordinary Meeting proposed to be rescheduled
  Council considered changing the October Ordinary Meeting date from 20 October 2026 to 27 October 2026 to accommodate the LGAQ Annual Conference and ensure a quorum. The extracted text does not record the final vote.
  The change would affect the date residents can attend or follow the October Council meeting.

Discussion

• Council financial position at 31 July 2026
  Unrestricted cash was reported at $271.2 million, with 12.35 months of unrestricted cash expense cover against a target of more than two months. Debt was $180.8 million and the leverage ratio was 1.26, within the stated target range.
  These measures indicate substantial liquidity and borrowing capacity, while also informing future spending and financial sustainability decisions.
• Capital works spending and asset sustainability
  The capital works program included $236 million in the adopted 2026/27 budget. Capital expenditure was reported as $1.3 million, or 17%, favourable against budget, while the asset sustainability ratio remained below target. Actual capital expenditure was weighted towards new or upgraded assets rather than renewals.
  The balance between new projects and renewing existing roads and infrastructure can affect service reliability and future maintenance costs.
• Mount Lofty bushfire and development concerns
  The subdivision material addressed evacuation routes, road gradients, retained vegetation, fauna protection, stormwater, slope stability, lighting and earthworks. Proposed conditions included possible improved road connections and measures to retain vegetation and manage fauna and lighting impacts.
  Residents raised concerns about bushfire evacuation, traffic and environmental impacts for properties around Rifle Range Road, Mackenzie Street and Windemere Terrace.
• Aerodrome financial sustainability
  The review found Toowoomba City Aerodrome’s commercial revenue is driven mainly by lease income and fees and charges. Regional aerodromes have limited commercial revenue and may require a service payment, subsidy or separate delivery arrangement if operations change.
  Future operating models, leases, fees, maintenance responsibilities or subsidies could affect aerodrome users, nearby businesses and Council’s budget.
• Rates notices and land sale process
  Rates and charges were generated on 11 July 2026 and notices were issued on 7 August 2026, with payment due on 9 September 2026. The 2026 sale-of-land process began with 49 properties, with 24 still in progress at the time of reporting.
  Residents should note the rates payment deadline. Owners of properties in the sale-of-land process may face further Council action if outstanding rates remain unresolved.

Impacts

• Potential development infrastructure charges changed from 18 August 2026 under Charges Resolution No. 8.
• The proposed 50-lot Mount Lofty subdivision did not pass on the recorded approval motion; the final application status is not clear from the extracted material.
• Rates and charges were due on 9 September 2026.
• Council reported $271.2 million in unrestricted cash and $180.8 million in debt as at 31 July 2026.
• The October Council meeting may move from 20 October to 27 October 2026, subject to the recorded Council decision and required advertising.
• Council is considering how to improve efficiency and financial sustainability across its aerodrome operations.

Places

• Mount Lofty (suburb)
  Location of the proposed reconfiguration of two lots into 50 lots.
• Rifle Range Road (road)
  Existing access road for the Mount Lofty subdivision proposal.
• Mackenzie Street (road)
  Proposed or assessed access connection for the Mount Lofty development.
• Windemere Terrace (road)
  Existing road reserve and proposed subdivision connection discussed in relation to bushfire access and tree retention.
• Toowoomba City Aerodrome (facility)
  Main commercial aerodrome covered by the operational and financial review.
• Pittsworth Aerodrome (facility)
  Regional aerodrome included in the operational review.
• Millmerran Aerodrome (facility)
  Regional aerodrome included in the operational review.
• Crows Nest Helipad (facility)
  Council aviation asset included in the operational review.

Next

• Apply Charges Resolution No. 8 to relevant infrastructure-charge matters from its effective date.
  From 18 August 2026
• Residents with rates notices should pay by the stated due date.
  9 September 2026
• Continue processing the 2026 sale-of-land matters.
  Ongoing
• Advertise any approved change to the October Ordinary Meeting date as required by law.
  Before the October 2026 meeting
• Progress any operational efficiency, cost-recovery or future operating-model work arising from the aerodrome review.
  Future Council and operational planning; no specific deadline stated

Extract

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 356 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Council 18 August 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 at th...