Toowoomba council operating spending lands within 1.46% of budget

Toowoomba Regional Council’s operational expenditure was within 1.46 per cent of its original adopted annual budget for 2025/26, with the final figure still subject to end-of-year adjustments.

The result was reported as 98.5 per cent against a target of 100 per cent for performance against the original adopted annual budget. It relates to day-to-day operational expenditure, not the separate capital works program.

The Corporate Services Committee recommended that Council note organisational performance for the 12 months from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. The recommendation records oversight of the completed financial year and does not introduce a new spending limit.

Across the broader 2025/26 Operational Plan, 97 per cent of 134 services, specific actions and projects, and key performance indicators were either “on target” or being monitored.

All 62 Council services recorded one of those statuses. The same applied to 98 per cent of 42 specific actions and projects, and 90 per cent of 30 key performance indicators.

The report said Council services were generally delivered within adopted budgets or at established service levels, but identified pressures affecting some services.

Rising complaints involving people sleeping rough placed pressure on Community Health and Compliance response times. The report said those pressures affected response times in the relevant services.

Other reported results included $168.5 million in actual capital works expenditure against an original budget of $236.5 million, and a $3 million estimated annual saving from the regional waste levy zone change.

The Cressbrook Dam safety upgrades have a $54 million State funding agreement, while $80 million in Federal funding was not secured. The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery remains closed because of storm damage, while Rosalie Gallery and Crows Nest Gallery continue operating.

The committee’s recommendation will go to Council for consideration. The operational expenditure result remains subject to end-of-year adjustments and the finalisation of monthly and yearly financial statements.