Special Meeting of Council - 30 June 2026

Topics

• Council adopts 2026/27 Operational Plan and financial rules for new budget year
  A major annual policy meeting locked in the operating plan, debt settings, procurement rules and financial sustainability strategy for the year ahead.
  This determines what Council will prioritise, how it will spend, and how it will manage borrowing and purchasing.
• Procurement policy may influence local contractor access to Council work
  Council adopted a procurement policy that explicitly refers to supporting the region and business community by procuring locally where able.
  Local suppliers and contractors may see opportunities or changes in how Council tenders and purchases work.
• Amendment to Operational Plan rejected
  An amendment moved by Councillor Trevor Manteufel to remove section (i)(v) from the recommendation was put and lost; the original motion was carried.
  Confirmed the plan was adopted without the proposed change, preserving the final scope of the annual operational direction.

Decisions

• Adoption of 2026/27 Operational Plan
  Council adopted the proposed 2026/27 Operational Plan, which sets out how the Corporate Plan will be implemented during the 2026/27 financial year.
  Shapes the services, projects and operational priorities residents can expect over the next financial year.
• Amendment to Operational Plan rejected
  An amendment moved by Councillor Trevor Manteufel to remove section (i)(v) from the recommendation was put and lost; the original motion was carried.
  Confirmed the plan was adopted without the proposed change, preserving the final scope of the annual operational direction.
• Debt Policy adopted
  Council adopted the Debt Policy under section 192 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  Affects how Council may borrow and manage debt used to fund major works and long-term assets.
• Procurement Policy adopted
  Council adopted the Procurement Policy under section 198 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  Sets the rules for how Council buys goods and services, including the emphasis on local procurement where possible.
• Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27 adopted
  Council adopted the Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27.
  Guides how rates, spending, assets, cash management and financial targets will be managed across the region.

Discussion

• Annual budget and operational framework
  The meeting focused on the relationship between the Corporate Plan 2024-29, the annual Operational Plan and the 2026/27 budget framework.
  Explains how Council’s stated priorities will be turned into funded actions and services.
• Revenue, rates and charges principles
  The documents outline how Council will set rates, charges, concessions and cost-recovery fees for the financial year.
  May influence household and business charges, including who pays for particular services and developments.
• Asset management and capital works planning
  The financial strategy links asset management plans, long-term financial forecasts and the capital works program to funding renewals, upgrades and additions.
  Relevant to future roads, buildings, parks and other infrastructure maintenance and replacement.
• Business activities and competition reforms
  The papers include reporting on activities subject to competition reforms and community service obligations, including aerodromes.
  Shows how Council accounts for non-commercial services and subsidised operations.

Impacts

• Sets the operating priorities and service delivery expectations for the 2026/27 financial year.
• May affect rates, charges, concessions and fees through the annual revenue and budget framework.
• Influences future spending on assets, renewals, infrastructure and capital works.
• Affects how Council borrows, invests funds and manages financial risk.
• Supports procurement settings that may influence local business opportunities and contractor work.

Places

• Toowoomba Region (local government area)
  Primary area covered by the operational plan and financial strategy.
• Toowoomba (city/suburb)
  Named in aerodrome reporting and regional financial documents.
• Crows Nest (town)
  Included in aerodromes reporting under the business activities section.
• Millmerran (town)
  Included in aerodromes reporting under the business activities section.
• Pittsworth (town)
  Included in aerodromes reporting under the business activities section.

Next

• Implement the adopted Operational Plan across Council services and projects for 2026/27
  During the 2026/27 financial year
• Apply the adopted Debt Policy, Procurement Policy and Financial Sustainability Strategy in budget and procurement decisions
  From adoption onward
• Prepare and manage the 2026/27 budget in line with the adopted revenue and financial policy settings
  Ahead of and throughout the 2026/27 financial year

Extract

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 225 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Special Meeting of Council 30 June 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence, Granting Leaves of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest 3.Adoption 2026/2027 Operational Plan 4.Closing of the Meeting to the Public to discuss CONFIDENTIAL Items and Opening of the Meeting to pass Resolutions on CONFIDENTIAL Items 5.CONFIDENTIAL - Adoption of the Toowoomba Regional Counci...