Ordinary Meeting of Council - 9 June 2026

Topics

• Council backs TSBE structure overhaul and keeps funding flowing for now
  Council agreed to dissolve the current controlled entity model with TSBE and transition it to an independent structure while maintaining funding in the next financial year.
  This changes the governance framework for a major regional economic development body and affects how business support is organised.
• Road upgrade advocacy boosted for Wellcamp and Warrego corridor areas
  Council funded preliminary road concepts and business cases to support future State and Federal advocacy for priority road improvements.
  The decision could help unlock transport upgrades in growing, high-traffic parts of the region.
• Council warns disaster funding changes may hit emergency response and resilience works
  The meeting highlighted concern that the Federal Government’s disaster recovery funding change to a 50-50 split could reduce Council’s ability to fund emergency response operations and betterment projects.
  Residents could see reduced disaster-response support and fewer resilience upgrades after extreme weather events.

Decisions

• Sale of land for overdue rates or charges
  Council resolved to sell listed properties for overdue rates or charges and delegated the CEO to take all further steps needed to complete the sale process.
  May affect property owners with outstanding rates or charges and can influence neighbourhood property turnover.
• Monthly Financial Performance Statement received
  Council received the monthly financial performance statement for the period ending 31 May 2026.
  Provides residents with a regular snapshot of Council’s financial position and budget performance.
• Domville Place, Millmerran project approval
  Council approved Millmerran Commerce and Progress Inc. funding and developing Domville Place in line with the site masterplan, with the CEO authorised to negotiate a partnership agreement and future operational budget support of $30,000 per year.
  Could improve a community site in Millmerran and create ongoing Council maintenance costs.
• Road development concepts funded for advocacy
  Council agreed to support preliminary road development concepts and business cases around Wellcamp State School and around Wirth Road, Toowoomba Speedway and the Warrego Highway junction to strengthen funding advocacy to State and Federal governments.
  May advance road upgrades and traffic improvements in high-growth and high-traffic areas.
• TSBE controlled entity model to be dissolved
  Council agreed to dissolve the current controlled entity model with Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, with the CEO to manage an orderly transition to an independent structure and continue funding for 2026-27.
  Affects regional economic development governance and how business support services are delivered locally.
• Empire Theatres board governance changes
  Council resolved to remove the existing director appointment procedure, manage non-executive director recruitment and appointments at its discretion, and appoint Empire Theatres directors as set out in the confidential report.
  Changes governance of a major local arts and cultural organisation.
• Local Government Infrastructure Plan interim amendment
  Council resolved to make an interim amendment to the LGIP to update planning assumptions, infrastructure demand projections and trunk infrastructure schedules, and to consult publicly for at least 15 business days.
  May affect future infrastructure planning, developer contributions and growth-related decisions.
• Annual Fire Mitigation Action Plan adopted
  Council adopted the Annual Fire Mitigation Action Plan 2026-27.
  Relevant to bushfire preparedness and risk reduction in affected local areas.

Discussion

• Disaster recovery funding changes
  The meeting discussed the Federal Government’s move to a 50-50 disaster recovery funding split, with concerns this could reduce Council’s ability to fund counter-disaster operations, evacuation centres, sandbagging and betterment projects.
  Could affect emergency response capacity and disaster resilience works across the region.
• Selective sewer inspection program
  Council approved a selective inspection program under the Local Government Act to inspect house sewer drains, find illegal connections and identify causes of sewer overloads and surcharges.
  May involve property access in selected areas and could lead to repair work or compliance follow-up for residents.
• Planning investigation into significant vegetation
  Council noted an earlier motion to investigate management of significant vegetation for inclusion in the new Planning Scheme, following consultation with stakeholders.
  Could influence future land use controls and vegetation protection rules.
• Highfields land acquisition for park purposes
  Council authorised negotiations to acquire land for park purposes in Highfields and, if successful, to fund it from the Park and Bushland Levy Reserve.
  May expand parkland and green space in Highfields.
• Blueberry farm change application at Geham
  Council approved in part and refused in part a change application for an intensive horticulture development at 9203 New England Highway, including staging changes but rejecting requests to relax road, parking and sealing conditions.
  Affects development conditions, local road works and transport impacts near Geham.

Impacts

• Possible sale of properties with overdue rates or charges.
• Potential new or improved community infrastructure in Millmerran through Domville Place.
• Possible road planning and upgrade advocacy near Wellcamp, Wirth Road, Toowoomba Speedway and the Warrego Highway.
• Changes to TSBE governance may alter regional business support arrangements.
• Empire Theatre governance changes may affect cultural services and board appointments.
• Public consultation on LGIP interim changes may affect growth planning and infrastructure contributions.
• Fire mitigation actions may influence local hazard reduction works.
• Sewer inspection program may lead to property inspections and rectification works in selected areas.

Places

• Millmerran (town)
  Domville Place project approval and funding support.
• Wellcamp State School area (local area)
  Road development concept and business case funding support.
• Wirth Road (road)
  Road development concept and business case funding support.
• Toowoomba Speedway (facility)
  Road network outcome concept area.
• Warrego Highway junction (road junction)
  Road network outcome concept area.
• Highfields (locality)
  Potential land acquisition for park purposes.
• Geham (locality)
  Blueberry farm change application at 9203 New England Highway.
• Toowoomba Region (local government area)
  Broad planning, infrastructure, TSBE and emergency management decisions.

Next

• CEO to finalise and implement the TSBE transition away from the controlled entity model
  Before future funding and governance arrangements are settled
• Public consultation on the interim LGIP amendment
  Minimum 15 business days after resolution
• CEO to negotiate and execute the Domville Place partnership agreement
  After Council approval, before project delivery
• Selective sewer inspection program to commence in nominated areas
  3 August 2026 to 3 November 2026
• CEO to take steps to effect the sale of properties for overdue rates or charges
  Following Council resolution
• Further review of Empire Theatres governance and board recruitment processes
  Before and around the board transition period

Extract

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 153 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Council 9 June 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 this Mee...