governance · Toowoomba Regional Council
Toowoomba Council adopts annual plan after amendment fails
Toowoomba Regional Council adopted its 2026/27 Operational Plan at a special meeting at City Hall after an amendment moved by Cr Trevor Manteufel was lost.
Toowoomba Regional Council has adopted its 2026/27 Operational Plan at a special meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, after an amendment moved by Councillor Trevor Manteufel was lost. The original motion was carried.
The plan was presented by chief executive officer Sal Petroccitto OAM and is intended to show how the 2024-29 Corporate Plan will be implemented during the 2026/27 financial year. Councillor Carol Taylor moved the adoption motion, seconded by Councillor Melissa Taylor.
Cr Manteufel moved to remove section (i)(v) from the recommendation. That amendment was put and lost, and the minutes record that the original motion was carried.
The operational plan sits within Council’s financial management system under section 104 of the Local Government Act 2009. The papers say it must be consistent with the annual budget under the Local Government Regulation 2012, and that it will be reported on quarterly through operational plan progress reports.
Council also adopted a Debt Policy under section 192 of the regulation, a Procurement Policy under section 198, and a Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27. The papers say those settings shape borrowing, purchasing and the way Council manages rates, spending, assets, cash and financial targets.
For residents across the Toowoomba Region, the plan sets the operating priorities and service delivery expectations for 2026/27. It also covers rates, charges, concessions and cost-recovery fees, plus capital works and asset renewal planning.
The documents note that business activities reporting also includes aerodrome-related matters at Toowoomba, Crows Nest, Millmerran and Pittsworth. The meeting opened at 9.01am, with all councillors present and no declarations of conflict of interest.
Council will implement the adopted operational plan across services and projects during the 2026/27 financial year. The debt, procurement and financial sustainability settings also take effect from adoption onward.
Reference minutes
Based on the Toowoomba Regional Council Special Meeting of Council minutes for 30 June 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The meeting was held on 30 June 2026 at Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
- Cr Trevor Manteufel moved an amendment to remove section (i)(v) from the recommendation, but it was lost.
- The original motion to adopt the proposed 2026/27 Operational Plan was moved by Cr Carol Taylor and seconded by Cr Melissa Taylor, and carried.
- Council adopted a Debt Policy under section 192 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
- Council adopted a Procurement Policy under section 198 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
- Council adopted a Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27.
- The operational plan is intended to implement the Corporate Plan 2024-29 during the 2026/27 financial year.
Why it matters
- Council has locked in the annual operating plan, financial policies and borrowing rules that will guide services, spending and project delivery across the region for 2026/27.