Ordinary Meeting of Council - 27 October 2026

Topics

• Council reports $145 million State funding secured for Southern Water Treatment Plant
  Toowoomba Regional Council says it has secured $145 million in Queensland Government funding for the Southern Water Treatment Plant.
  The project is a major investment in the region’s future water supply and security.
• Cressbrook Dam works begin with expected $5 million saving under changed environmental rules
  Construction has commenced on the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project, with revised fish-passage requirements expected to avoid at least $5 million in extra costs.
  The decision affects the cost and delivery of a major water-security project while raising a clear environmental-regulation angle.
• Council adopts 2025/26 Annual Report and promises free public copies
  Council formally adopted its annual performance report and will publish a digital version with a video summary, alongside limited free printed copies.
  The report gives residents a consolidated account of Council’s finances, services and performance.

Decisions

• September monthly financial statement received
  Council received the Monthly Financial Performance Statement for the period ending 30 September 2026. Operating income was $6.3 million above budget, capital expenditure was $7.56 million below budget, and unrestricted cash was reported at $344.9 million with 14.88 months of expense cover.
  The figures indicate Council is currently financially stable, while capital works spending is progressing below the adopted timing and budget profile.
• 2025/26 Annual Report adopted
  Council adopted the Toowoomba Regional Council Annual Report 2025/26 and agreed to provide a digital version, including an embedded summary video, on its website. A limited number of printed copies will be available free to the public.
  Residents can access Council’s reported financial and non-financial performance and its compliance information.
• Lease tenure matters resolved after confidential discussion
  Council resolved that specified exceptions under section 236(1)(c)(iii) and (vii) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 applied to the disposal of interests in land listed in the confidential report, other than by tender or auction. Delegates were authorised to negotiate and sign relevant tenure documents.
  The decision allows Council to progress lease and other tenure arrangements over identified Council-owned or controlled properties. The specific properties were contained in a confidential attachment.
• CEO complaints policy decision deferred
  Council deferred consideration of the revised Complaint Management (Chief Executive Officer) Policy to the Ordinary Meeting of Council in November 2026.
  The policy governing complaints that involve or may involve the Chief Executive Officer remains under consideration and has not yet changed.
• Certified TSBE financial statements noted
  Council noted the audited and certified 2025/26 financial statements of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Pty Ltd, a Council-controlled entity.
  The decision provides formal public oversight of the financial reporting of a Council-controlled organisation.

Discussion

• Financial sustainability and capital program
  The 2026/27 budget provides for a $5.4 million operating surplus and a $236 million capital works program. At 30 September, the operating surplus ratio was reported as 39.5%, the leverage ratio as 1.56, and the asset sustainability ratio was below target.
  Council reported capacity to meet current commitments, but the below-target asset sustainability measure may indicate longer-term pressure if new and upgrade works continue to outpace renewals.
• Rates, concessions and charges
  The meeting material records pensioner general-rate and water-infrastructure rebates, concessions for unapparent plumbing failures and home haemodialysis, and hardship concessions. Water rates and levies were scheduled to be issued in October 2026, and the card surcharge ceased after 30 September 2026.
  Eligible pensioners, households experiencing serious financial hardship, and residents meeting the water-concession criteria may be able to reduce their charges.
• Waste and water services
  Council’s financial reporting covers waste management fees, the State Waste Levy and water connection and sales revenue. Waste disposal fees were $779,000 above budget, attributed to higher commercial waste volumes.
  The result points to increased demand on waste services and continued financial exposure to waste disposal and levy obligations.
• Southern Water Treatment Plant funding
  Council reported securing $145 million in Queensland Government funding towards the Southern Water Treatment Plant project.
  The funding supports a major regional water-supply project and may improve long-term water security.
• Cressbrook Dam safety project
  Construction of the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project had commenced. Changes to environmental arrangements meant the project was not required to address fish passage under the new arrangements, with an expected saving of at least $5 million while environmental protections remain in place.
  The change is expected to reduce project costs and support delivery of infrastructure linked to regional water security.
• Development assessment process
  Council reported early benefits from its revised survey-plan endorsement process, including one application endorsed within eight days and several larger developments endorsed within weeks rather than months.
  Faster endorsement may reduce delays for developers, consultants and future property projects across the region.
• Public transport advocacy
  Council reported a Queensland Government partnership and funding to deliver practical public transport improvements, building on Council’s Public Transport Levy. The extracted material does not specify the individual projects or funding allocation.
  The partnership may lead to improved public transport services, but further project details are needed before specific local impacts can be assessed.

Impacts

• The September financial results show strong cash coverage, but capital works expenditure was below budget timing and asset renewal performance remains an area to monitor.
• Eligible pensioners and residents facing hardship may access rate or water-charge concessions under Council policies.
• The card surcharge no longer applies after close of business on 30 September 2026.
• The Southern Water Treatment Plant has $145 million in Queensland Government funding support.
• Cressbrook Dam safety works are under way and are expected to avoid at least $5 million in additional costs.
• Council’s CEO complaints-policy review will return in November 2026 rather than taking effect at this meeting.

Places

• Toowoomba Region (local government area)
  Area covered by Council services, rates, waste, water, public transport advocacy and financial reporting.
• Toowoomba (city)
  Council meeting location and centre of regional services and development activity.
• Cressbrook Dam (dam and infrastructure project)
  Location of the Safety Improvement Project, where construction has commenced.
• Southern Water Treatment Plant (water infrastructure project)
  Major project supported by $145 million in Queensland Government funding.
• City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba (civic facility)
  Venue for the Council meeting.

Next

• Publish the 2025/26 Annual Report, including the digital version and embedded summary video, on Council’s website.
  Following adoption on 27 October 2026
• Make a limited number of printed copies of the 2025/26 Annual Report available free to the public.
  Following publication
• Issue water rates and levies for the 2026/27 period.
  October 2026
• Return the revised Complaint Management (Chief Executive Officer) Policy to Council for consideration.
  November 2026
• Continue construction of the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project and progress the Southern Water Treatment Plant project.
  Ongoing

Extract

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 463 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Council 27 October 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...