Planning and Development Committee - 11 August 2026

Topics

• New Toowoomba infrastructure charges to increase by 3.7% and cover more developments
  Council is moving to a new infrastructure-charges resolution that increases prescribed charges by about 3.7%, introduces charges for eligible secondary dwellings and some Ministerial Infrastructure Designations, and takes effect on 18 August 2026.
  Developers and some homeowners may face higher or newly applicable infrastructure charges, while Council expects the changes to improve recovery of growth-related infrastructure costs and financial sustainability.
• Decision delayed on proposed 50-lot Mount Lofty subdivision
  A proposed 50-lot Mount Lofty subdivision was not decided at the committee meeting and will go to the Ordinary Meeting on 18 August after residents, submitters and the applicant addressed councillors.
  The proposal could change local traffic connections, wastewater infrastructure, slope stability and environmental conditions, while giving residents another date to follow the decision.
• New Infrastructure Charges Resolution recommended
  The committee recommended adoption of the new Infrastructure Charges Resolution as Charges Resolution No. 8, with an intended commencement date of 18 August 2026.
  The resolution would update development charges, including a 3.7% prescribed-amount uplift, and extend charging to eligible secondary dwellings and some Ministerial Infrastructure Designations.

Decisions

• New Infrastructure Charges Resolution recommended
  The committee recommended adoption of the new Infrastructure Charges Resolution as Charges Resolution No. 8, with an intended commencement date of 18 August 2026.
  The resolution would update development charges, including a 3.7% prescribed-amount uplift, and extend charging to eligible secondary dwellings and some Ministerial Infrastructure Designations.
• Mount Lofty 50-lot subdivision deferred
  The committee deferred the decision on application RAL/2025/5915, for reconfiguring two lots into 50 lots at 2A and 2B Rifle Range Road, Mount Lofty, to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 18 August 2026.
  No final development approval was made at this meeting. The proposed subdivision remains subject to Council’s later decision and proposed conditions.

Discussion

• New Infrastructure Charges Resolution
  The proposed resolution updates infrastructure charges to reflect the Planning Regulation 2017, aligns conversion criteria with the interim LGIP amendment, clarifies credits, offsets and refunds, and addresses trunk infrastructure costs.
  Charges may change for new residential and non-residential development and help fund trunk infrastructure required to support growth.
• Charges for secondary dwellings
  Secondary dwellings, including commonly described granny flats, would become chargeable under the proposed resolution. Council recorded a substantial increase in applications, from 11 in 2022 to 73 in 2025.
  Homeowners developing or renting secondary dwellings may face an infrastructure charge, with potential implications for housing costs and affordability.
• Assessment of proposed Mount Lofty subdivision
  The Mount Lofty subdivision assessment considered landslide risk, ecological values, views, residential amenity, road connectivity and wastewater servicing. Conditions include geotechnical compliance, environmental management and connection to the Coventry Court Sewage Pumping Station.
  If approved, the development would affect local traffic, construction activity, drainage, environmental protection and future wastewater infrastructure.

Impacts

• New or increased infrastructure charges may apply to development, including eligible secondary dwellings and some Ministerial Infrastructure Designations.
• The proposed Mount Lofty subdivision was not approved or refused at this meeting and will be considered on 18 August 2026.
• If approved, the subdivision would require controls for slope stability, dust, noise, stormwater, erosion, waste, ecology and wastewater servicing.
• Park access associated with development works would require prior approval and could involve a daily fee and bond.
• Current and outstanding property fees, rates, interest and other charges must be paid before approval of the subdivision plan, if approval is granted.

Places

• 2A and 2B Rifle Range Road, Mount Lofty (development site)
  Proposed subdivision of two lots into 50 lots; the application was deferred for consideration at the Ordinary Meeting on 18 August 2026.
• Mackenzie Street and Rifle Range Road, Mount Lofty (roads)
  Proposed subdivision road links would connect Mackenzie Street with Rifle Range Road and link to an anticipated future road.
• Coventry Court Sewage Pumping Station (wastewater facility)
  The proposed subdivision must connect to this facility through a new internal wastewater network.
• Jubilee Park (park)
  Park access associated with development works would require approval, a daily access fee and a bond.
• Toowoomba Regional Council charge areas (service areas)
  Infrastructure charges apply across urban, township and rural charge areas, with revised rates and servicing reductions.

Next

• Council is scheduled to consider the new Infrastructure Charges Resolution at the proposed effective date of 18 August 2026.
  18 August 2026
• Council is scheduled to make a decision on application RAL/2025/5915 for the proposed 50-lot Mount Lofty subdivision.
  Ordinary Meeting of Council, 18 August 2026
• If the subdivision is approved, the applicant must meet conditions covering geotechnical stability, environmental management, road and wastewater infrastructure, engineering certification and applicable fees.
  Before and during subsequent works, subject to any approval

Extract

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 218 Toowoomba Regional Council Planning and Development Committee 11 August 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.Infrastructure Charges Resolution No. 8 4.RAL/2...