funding · Toowoomba Regional Council
Toowoomba Council backs $646,950 TSBE deed and orders review
Toowoomba Regional Council has approved a revised 12-month funding deed for Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Pty Ltd worth $646,950 plus GST, while directing a review of its controlled entity model and performance measures.
Toowoomba Regional Council has approved a revised 12-month funding deed for Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Pty Ltd worth $646,950 plus GST, and ordered a review of its controlled entity model at its ordinary meeting on 9 June in Toowoomba.
The councillors also directed the chief executive officer to finalise the key performance indicators before half the funding is paid, and to review the controlled entity model before the end of 2025. Council agreed to continue its financial contribution for 2026-27 while future funding decisions are considered.
A separate TSBE resolution went further. Council agreed to dissolve the current controlled entity model with TSBE, delegate transition work to the CEO, and continue the financial contribution for 2026-27 pending future funding decisions.
Empire Theatres Pty Ltd was also caught up in the governance review. Council decided to keep the current board roles in place for now, begin recruitment for future directors, and review the controlled entity structure for the theatre company.
Cr Rebecca Vonhoff declared a declarable conflict of interest on the TSBE board appointment item because she has a close relationship with two of the three proposed directors, Ian Macfarlane and Emily Pullen (Tanner). She said she would leave the meeting while the matter was discussed and voted on.
The TSBE item sat alongside a broader business and governance agenda. Council also received the Economic Development Committee report at the meeting, though the minutes do not record any further debate on the TSBE funding itself.
Other business at the meeting included the sale of properties for overdue rates or charges under the Local Government Regulation 2012. Council also approved funding for preliminary business case and concept work for road network improvements around Wellcamp State School and around Wirth Road, Toowoomba Speedway and the Warrego Highway junction.
Council authorised the chief executive officer to negotiate for the acquisition of land for park purposes at Highfields and to use the Park and Bushland Levy Reserve if the purchase goes ahead. It also approved an interim amendment to the Local Government Infrastructure Plan with at least 15 business days of public consultation.
Reference minutes
Source: Toowoomba Regional Council Ordinary Meeting of Council, 9 June 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council approved a revised 12-month TSBE funding deed worth $646,950 plus GST.
- The CEO must finalise TSBE key performance indicators before half the funding is paid.
- Council directed a review of the TSBE controlled entity model before the end of 2025.
- Council agreed to dissolve the current controlled entity model with TSBE and continue financial contribution for 2026-27 pending future funding decisions.
- Council resolved to keep current board roles for Empire Theatres Pty Ltd temporarily and begin recruitment for future directors.
- Cr Rebecca Vonhoff declared a declarable conflict of interest on the TSBE board appointment item.
- The meeting also approved the sale of properties for overdue rates or charges under the Local Government Regulation 2012.
Why it matters
- TSBE is a key regional business support body, and council is keeping its funding in place while reviewing the governance model, performance measures and future support arrangements.