Planning and Development Committee - 10 March 2026

Key decisions

• Planning scheme progress noted
  The committee recommended that Council note progress on the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme project for the period 11 November 2025 to 20 February 2026.
  Residents can expect the new region-wide planning scheme to keep progressing toward draft review and later public consultation.
• Project schedule change recommended
  The committee recommended a major change to the project management plan so the planning scheme timetable aligns with the streamlined process for making planning schemes under section 18 of the Planning Act 2016.
  This changes the timeline for preparing the new planning scheme that will eventually guide land use and development across the region.
• Request for new Chief Executive Notice recommended
  The committee recommended asking the Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning for a new Chief Executive Notice for the new Toowoomba Region Planning Scheme under section 18(3) of the Planning Act 2016.
  This is a formal state process step needed to keep the new planning scheme moving under the updated pathway.

Important topics

• New state planning pathway
  The report said the State Government introduced a revised plan-making process supported by a State Interest Reference Group, allowing earlier collaboration with state agencies and expected time efficiencies during formal State Interest Review.
  This may streamline preparation of the new planning scheme and affect when residents get to see and comment on the draft.
• Planned public consultation timing
  The project is focused on delivering a draft scheme for formal State Interest Review in late 2026, with intent to go to public consultation in early 2027 and formal adoption in November 2027.
  Residents should expect consultation on the draft planning scheme in early 2027.
• Project governance established
  A project board including Council's Executive Leadership Team, excluding the CEO, was formally established and endorsed a terms of reference at its first meeting on 27 January 2026.
  This indicates the planning scheme project now has formal oversight as it moves toward draft completion.

Resident impacts

• The new Toowoomba Region Planning Scheme remains in development and is intended to go to public consultation in early 2027.
• The project timetable is being updated to align with a streamlined state approval process.
• Future land-use and development rules across the Toowoomba Region will be shaped through this scheme project.

Places affected

• Toowoomba Region (regional area)
  Area covered by the new planning scheme project.

Next steps

• Council to consider the committee recommendation
  Occurred at the Ordinary Meeting of 17 March 2026, where the committee recommendation was adopted.
• Seek a new Chief Executive Notice from the Director-General of DSDIP
  Following Council adoption.
• Continue drafting the new planning scheme and progress toward State Interest Review
  Late 2026 for draft review, early 2027 for planned public consultation, November 2027 for intended adoption.

Extracted minutes text

TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 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 14 Toowoomba Regional Council Planning and Development Committee 10 March 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Reports 3.Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme Project - Quar...