Toowoomba Regional Council is inviting residents to complete a short survey to help shape the region’s future, as work on a new Planning Scheme gathers momentum.
Council Planning (Place) portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Tim McMahon said community input was critical and urged residents to get involved.
“Right now is an opportunity for our community to inform the priority issues to be addressed in the development of the new Planning Scheme,” Cr McMahon said.
“We’re asking residents to head to Council’s Your Say webpage and complete a quick online survey. This feedback will directly influence how the new Planning Scheme is developed.
“Whether it’s housing, growth, environment or how our towns evolve, we want to hear what matters most to the people who live here.”
Cr McMahon said while the project continued to meet key milestones, strong community participation would play a vital role in shaping outcomes.
“Council has secured approval from the State Government for a new Chief Executive Notice. This approval formalises the process and desired project timeframes for preparing and amending our planning scheme under the Planning Act 2016,” he said.
“This ensures our work aligns with State requirements while remaining transparent and accountable to our community.”
Cr McMahon said Council continued to monitor broader Queensland Government initiatives, including the South East Queensland Regional Plan, to ensure alignment. Council is also working closely with the State government to ensure State priorities are considered alongside local community views at this early stage.
He said Council had already undertaken significant work behind the scenes, including workshops and technical input from specialist consultants, but emphasised that community feedback was equally essential.
“Our project team, stakeholders and industry experts are working collaboratively to prepare the draft scheme, but it’s just as important that we hear from our residents,” he said.
The project remains on track, with drafting of the planning scheme continuing across key areas including housing, providing for employment, biodiversity, regional towns, resilience to natural hazards and providing for the necessary local infrastructure to support growth and development.
“The more people who visit the Your Say page and complete the survey, the better informed our planning decisions will be.”
“While there are external factors that can influence planning frameworks, our focus remains on delivering a scheme that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community,” he said.
Cr McMahon said community engagement would continue throughout the project, with formal public consultation on the draft Planning Scheme expected between February and April 2027, subject to State Government approval.
“However, residents don’t need to wait until formal consultation to get involved,” he said.
“I strongly encourage everyone to visit the Your Say webpage today, complete the survey and follow the page to stay informed about upcoming opportunities to contribute.”
“Your input now will help guide the future of the Toowoomba Region.”
Residents can visit Council’s Your Say webpage to complete the survey and stay up to date with the project here – https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/toowoomba-regional-planning-scheme.
