Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has advised the delivery of the new Toowoomba Region Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan will be extended by a further 12 months.
Council is now planning to deliver the Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan in May 2026, subject to final approval by the Queensland State Government and taking into account feedback from community consultation.
The delays to deliver the Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan have been due to the loss of staff, delays in receiving census data which is critical for growth modelling (these figures are expected in July), project costs exceeding outputs and the project being re-assessed for being behind schedule.
Mayor Paul Antonio stated, “Since we began this piece of work in 2020, there have been significant changes in the Toowoomba Region. The outcomes of the studies undertaken so far have highlighted key issues which require further investigation to meet the needs of the community for the coming decades. More than 14 separate studies for the new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan have been completed and an additional eight studies are underway.
“We want to have a new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan in place as soon as possible, however, it’s more important we get it right for our Region.
“While the program has been extended by a year, in the interim, Council will investigate opportunities to bring forward critical matters in the shape of a Temporary Local Planning Instrument.”
Council allocated a budget of $8 million to the Toowoomba Region Futures Program which comprises a new Growth Plan, Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan.
TRC Planning and Development General Manager Nikola Stepanov said the work completed to date had incurred $7.3 million in total expenditure.
“Unfortunately, project costs have exceeded expected outputs. Estimates indicate $3-4 million will be required over the next two financial years to complete the necessary work.”
The remaining costs to complete the new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan include:
- Increasing costs for contract services
- The costs of engaging independent experts, such as for external stakeholder engagement and legal reviews, and
- Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Detailed analysis will focus on ways to:
- Accommodate future water, stormwater, and sewerage needs due to the substantial projected growth
- Support economic growth by establishing a Planning Scheme that provides certainty to facilitate business growth, investment and development
- Plan for housing demand including diversity, affordability, and supply
- Develop vegetation mapping and overlays to protect significant vegetation
- Protect prime agricultural land
- Improve connectivity for cars, bikes, and pedestrians throughout the Region
- Deliver and maintain Council infrastructure over the next 15 years in a way that is sustainable
- Future proof our industrial planning code to take into account new and emerging industries
- Protect the unique character of our regional towns and communities through structure plans, and
- Recognise and protect the important aspects of cultural and indigenous heritage in our Region.
Dr Stepanov said regular updates would be provided to the community and key stakeholders.
“I am excited about what the project will bring to the community and the development industry,” she said.
“Our priority is to focus on delivering a new Planning Scheme and Infrastructure Plan that best meets our Region’s needs for the next 15 years.”
