Planning and Development Committee - 12 May 2026

Topics

• Council backs interim infrastructure plan update for growth areas
  Committee recommends an interim LGIP amendment to refresh growth and trunk infrastructure assumptions before the full planning scheme overhaul.
  The update can shape where and when infrastructure is delivered and how growth is funded.
• Public invited to comment on infrastructure planning changes
  Residents and stakeholders will get a consultation window on the proposed interim LGIP amendment.
  Community input may influence the final infrastructure priorities and development assumptions.
• Public consultation on LGIP amendment
  The committee recommended public consultation on the proposed interim LGIP amendment for a minimum of 15 business days before finalisation.
  Residents and stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the infrastructure planning changes before they are adopted.

Decisions

• Interim LGIP amendment recommended
  Council is to make an interim amendment to the Local Government Infrastructure Plan to update planning assumptions, infrastructure demand projections, trunk infrastructure plans and the schedule of works.
  This affects how infrastructure is planned and delivered for growth areas, which can influence future roads, water, sewerage and other service capacity.
• Public consultation on LGIP amendment
  The committee recommended public consultation on the proposed interim LGIP amendment for a minimum of 15 business days before finalisation.
  Residents and stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the infrastructure planning changes before they are adopted.

Discussion

• Staged update to infrastructure planning
  The interim LGIP amendment is being progressed alongside the new Planning Scheme as a staged response to updated growth modelling and network planning work completed since 2022.
  This sets the framework for future development and infrastructure delivery across the region.
• Compliance and financial sustainability
  The report says the amendment is needed to keep the LGIP current, align with Planning Act 2016 and the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules, and protect Council’s ability to levy infrastructure charges.
  This can affect how growth is funded and how much pressure falls on ratepayers versus developers.
• Future planning work continues
  Council’s new LGIP will include a PIA review, benchmarking of Desired Standards of Service, and refinements to network planning and costing estimates.
  Further changes may follow, so this is not the last update to local infrastructure planning.

Impacts

• Future development may be guided by updated infrastructure demand projections.
• The council’s ability to levy infrastructure charges will be preserved under the updated framework.
• Residents may be able to make submissions during the consultation period.
• Infrastructure delivery sequencing may change for growing areas.

Places

• Toowoomba Region (local government area)
  The LGIP and Planning Scheme updates apply across the region.

Next

• Undertake public consultation on the interim LGIP amendment
  Minimum 15 business days
• Finalise the interim LGIP amendment after consultation
  Following consultation period
• Continue work on the new LGIP and new Planning Scheme
  Ongoing

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 135 Toowoomba Regional Council Planning and Development Committee 12 May 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Reports 3.Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) amendment 4.Meeting Concluded of 135 REP...