6 things we learnt from council in Toowoomba this week

IT WAS a busy and controversial week for the Toowoomba Regional Council, which dealt with committee and special meetings.

Toowoomba City Halll. TRC. Toowoomba council. Toowoomba, Ruthven Street. June 2017. Picture: Bev Lacey

IT WAS a busy and controversial week for the Toowoomba Regional Council, which dealt with committee and special meetings.

From feedlot proposals to next year's show holidays, here are the highlights you might have missed from the council:

The council has released a series of job vacancies. Picture: Contributed

1. COUNCIL STARTS RECRUITMENT DRIVE

LOOKING for a change of career or new work environment? The Toowoomba Regional Council has a litany of job vacancies that need to be filled.

The council has released a list of 15 vacant positions in the organisation, covering several departments and areas across the Toowoomba region.

Many of the positions relate to the upcoming Charlton Depot, which will be opened next year.

For full story, click here.

A woman has been charged after stealing seedlings from a variety of garden beds at Laurel Bank Park. July 2019. Picture: Bev Lacey

2. COUNCILLOR CONDEMNS PLANT THEFT

THE Toowoomba Regional Council has condemned the alleged theft of more than 100 seedlings from Laurel Bank Park.

A Newtown woman, 59, was charged with four counts of stealing after allegedly digging up more than 100 plants from the displays in preparation for the Carnival of Flowers.

The cost of the alleged theft was yet to be tallied, but TRC Environment and Community committee portfolio leader Cr Joe Ramia said ultimately it would fall back on the ratepayer.

For full story, click here.

3. TRC PUSHES FOR LEGISLATION CHANGES AFTER WAGNER CASE

THE Toowoomba Regional Council will urge Queensland's local government body to lobby the State Government on changing legislation around infrastructure charges, after the organisation's loss in court to Wagner Corporation last month.

Councillors voted on Wednesday in its committee meeting to put forward four motions to the Local Government Association of Queensland's annual conference in October.

The top motion called for the LGAQ to write to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, asking that the minister "urgently takes action to retrospectively and prospectively correct the legislative framework" around the calculation of infrastructure charges.

For full story, click here.

Feedlot Cattle. Picture: Madeline Grace

4. CONTROVERSIAL FEEDLOT REJECTED BY COUNCILLORS

A CONTROVERSIAL feedlot south of Toowoomba has been sensationally rejected by the council over concerns about its impact on neighbouring properties.

Councillors on Wednesday afternoon voted down applicant Ellerby Farmland's proposed a 5000-unit cattle and dairy feedlot on Strathane Rd in Ellangowan, citing concerns about effluent, odour and water impacts on adjoining properties.

In a fiery debate, neighbouring property owners argued the proposal would wipe out or affect the neighbouring organic farm.

For full story, click here.

The 2020 dates for the Toowoomba Royal Show have been announced. Picture: Nev Madsen

5. 2020 SHOW HOLIDAY DATES ANNOUNCED

RESIDENTS in the Toowoomba region now know when they'll get a day off from work to visit the Heritage Bank Toowoomba Royal Show next year.

Councillors voted on Wednesday morning to lock in the public holiday dates for the Toowoomba region so residents can go and visit the wonders of the show.

For full story, click here.

The Bungalow and Basket owners Sally Cleary (left) and Jodi Paynter look forward to parking changes in the Toowoomba CBD, Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Picture: Kevin Farmer

6. ONE-HOUR PARKING TRIAL PRAISED BY BUSINESSES

BUSINESS owners have praised a council plan to further cut parking periods in the Toowoomba CBD to free up space for customers.

The councillors yesterday voted to trial reducing parking in the centre strip of Ruthven St and a section of Margaret St from two hours to one hour.

It comes after an 18-month discussion between the council and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, which was exploring major issues with the CBD's parking layout.

For full story, click here.

Originally published as 6 things we learnt from council in Toowoomba this week