Revealed: When first Toowoomba leaders meeting will be held
A date has been set for the convergence of Toowoomba’s political leaders at what is set to be the first of quarterly meetings between three levels of government.
Council
Lockyer residents cop rate rise in council’s ‘significant’ $115m budget
Residents in the Lockyer Valley will see a huge investment in roads but cop a 3.9 per cent rate rise in the council’s debt-free 2024-25 budget. Details here.
No dogs allowed: Toowoomba pound risks overcrowding
A Toowoomba resident said he thought he ‘was going mad’ this weekend after a year-old husky turned up at his doorstep and his only option was to ‘release him’ after being told the pound was full.
Historic homestead to become wedding venue despite opposition
A homestead west of Toowoomba dating back to the 1870s has been approved to become a luxury wedding venue, however the project did not come without opposition from neighbours.
Documents reveal future for controversial $237m quarantine hub
The owner of the controversial Queensland quarantine facility, which has sat mostly unused for nearly two years, has revealed the likely future use after a major application filing.
Developer’s new plans for turnkey $650k homes in $25m precinct
More than a dozen ‘turnkey’ homes will be built in Toowoomba’s western suburbs as part of a developer’s new plans for a $25m health precinct.
$200 a year: 5 per cent rate rise revealed in $704m council budget
Toowoomba ratepayers will be slugged an extra $200 a year on average to help pay for the most expensive project in the history of the council. How it will affect your family’s bottom line:
Toowoomba’s ‘worst road’ finally being upgraded after $10m boost
A Toowoomba road that couldn’t be accessed by ambulances and even swallowed a car due to its poor condition is finally being upgraded as part of a $10m slew of council works to fix terrible roads.
Council backflips on rejected $105m subdivision after Gardner’s move
One of the region’s new councillors has helped reverse a decision to reject a $105m Toowoomba housing estate worth 171 lots, which has since landed in court at ratepayer expense.
Cars give way to bikes: Qld’s first ‘active transport street’ opens
It’s painted differently, has a reduced speed limit and features new road rules – here’s how Queensland’s first ‘active transport street’ will work and why cyclists are hoping to build on it:
Mayor reacts to ‘hypothetical’ nuclear reactor plan near Toowoomba region
The fallout from the Coalition’s plan to build a nuclear reactor within kilometres of the Toowoomba region has continued, with mayor Geoff McDonald weighing in on the idea.
Council watchdog dismisses deputy mayor complaint over photo scandal
The local government watchdog has dismissed a complaint into Toowoomba’s deputy mayor relating to her involvement in a photo scandal.
Division talk dead as councillors push ahead with mayor’s new plan
Any push to turn the Toowoomba region into a council with divisions appears to be dead after councillors voted not to proceed with the next steps following a heated debate.
Mayor reveals answer to council divisions talk in major shake-up
As the council prepares to vote on whether to push forward with divisions in the next term, mayor Geoff McDonald has put forward a proposal he believes could “achieve more” than wards.
Servo threatened with auction over unpaid $368k council bill
The annual list of properties facing auction due to unpaid rates and charges has been released — and a service station with an enormous bill is among them. SEE THE LIST HERE:
‘Completely disagree’: Mayor hits back at councillor’s Cressbrook spray
A Toowoomba councillor has slammed previous councils for lacking the foresight to budget for the $270m Cressbrook Dam upgrades – but the mayor is having none of it.
Deputy mayor refers herself to council watchdog over photo scandal
A regional Queensland deputy mayor has referred herself to the local government watchdog following growing criticism for her role in a scandal involving a compromising photo of a colleague.
Council to release millions of litres from dam as part of $270m upgrade
Millions of litres of quality drinking water will be released from Toowoomba’s primary dam as a direct result of the looming Cressbrook spillway upgrades, which sparked an exchange between two councillors over the organisation’s planning.
Councillors’ unsual move to stop photo scandal commentary
In a unsual turn of events, Toowoomba councillors have signed a joint letter vowing not to speak any further about the Kerry Shine photo scandal – just a day after it was revealed who took the image.
‘I’m sorry’: Deputy mayor admits to taking photo of sleeping colleague
Toowoomba’s deputy mayor has admitted she took a photo of a council colleague that was then leaked online, bringing an end to a scandal that had been bubbling for months.
Why significant city land parcel could house hundreds of residents
A huge parcel of land in Toowoomba has hit the market, and a council incentive could see it become housing for potentially hundreds of residents.
‘Dangerous’: Residents ready to fight massive social housing project
A group of residents say they plan to fight the approval of a 185-unit social and affordable housing project in Toowoomba, for specific reasons.
‘Stand up’: Ex-councillors take aim at council over photo scandal
A growing number of former Toowoomba councillors have called for accountability within the organisation amid the fallout of a leaked photograph scandal that has plagued the leadership team.
$105m housing estate returns to council amid lengthy court battle
A controversial Toowoomba housing estate that was rejected by the council has been re-lodged by its developer while it is currently before the courts.
‘Reprehensible’: Ex-councillor slams TRC over leaked photo scandal
An ex-Toowoomba councillor has left a scathing review of the organisation’s handling of a scandal involving a photo taken of one of her colleagues, which was leaked online.
‘Disappointing’: Quarry Gardens board scrapped as project in limbo
The future of the long-discussed Quarry Gardens project appears to be in doubt after the Toowoomba council disbanded the advisory committee attached to it – a move advocates have called “disappointing”.
‘Not in it for the money’: Gardner’s $500k call on councillor salary
Gary Gardner says he didn’t join the Toowoomba Regional Council ‘for the money’ and he’s proving it by pledging to donate his entire salary four the full term to local charities.
City magnate makes first mark as councillor in finance revamp
Toowoomba business identity and first-term councillor Gary Gardner has called for a full revamp of the council’s finance reporting, arguing he and his colleagues weren’t getting the “full picture”.
‘Wake up, Geoff’: Heated scenes as council votes on Aerodrome’s future
There have been chaotic scenes outside city hall as more than 50 supporters of the Toowoomba Aerodrome gathered ahead of a controversial council vote on Tuesday.
Likes, camera, inaction: The Chronicle lifts the lid on scandals rocking Toowoomba council
Whistleblowers within Toowoomba Regional Council have revealed the major issues and scandals plaguing City Hall, as The Chronicle calls for accountability from our elected officials. Go inside our special investigation here.
New committees, groups scrapped in major council portfolio upheaval
Councillors have nearly unanimously voted in sweeping changes to its portfolio system, which will see councillors spread across a variety of committees. Here’s how it will work.
Twist ahead as troubled $6.6m mountain bike precinct gets revamp
Plans have been renewed for 100km of mountain bike trails on the Toowoomba escarpment following a council vote, but the proposal already faces a challenge from environmentalists.
‘Not a talkfest’: When Toowoomba leaders’ meetings could start
In a move sparked from investigations by The Chronicle, Toowoomba’s political leaders from three tiers of government have started planning their first meetings.
Council’s meeting with Wagners revealed ahead of $1.5m airport vote
John Wagner has revealed a top council bureaucrat approached him about moving tenants from the Toowoomba City Airport to Wellcamp. The move comes as the aerodrome users sweat on a fast-tracked decision by councillors this week:
New action plan meetings agreed to by pollies after Chronicle investigations
The region’s three tiers of government representatives have all vowed to improve coordination towards funding, advocacy and the regional growth following an explosive council investigation.
Mayor lifts lid on major portfolio revamp amid $300m project strain
The Toowoomba Regional Council will unveil a complete overhaul of its portfolio system to fixing issues like siloing and get the organisation pushing ahead with major projects — but not all are convinced it will work.
’Rubbish’: Councillor unity challenged ahead of difficult term
The Toowoomba council’s leaders have asserted the boardroom is working as a team, but that has been challenged by insiders as the organisation prepares for a difficult period ahead.
‘Appalling’: TRC rocked after leaked photo of councillor spread online
The leaking of a photograph depicting a councillor asleep in his chair that was then spread online has raised concerns about behaviour within the Toowoomba council, with one insider calling it ‘appalling’.
Future of council CEO’s tenure in doubt as culture under scrutiny
The Toowoomba council’s chief executive is facing fresh scrutiny over organisational culture as the number of councillors looking for a change in leadership grows following the election.
Councillor donates $120k salary to massive Toowoomba charity
A newly-elected councillor has committed his pay to an important Toowoomba charity that supports the city’s homeless population.
‘The public needs to know’: Complaint over council’s legal advice
A complaint has been issued to Toowoomba Council after councillors would not say whether or not they supported some issues at public forums during the election campaign – saying they could be denied a vote if they did.
Nearly doubled: How much your next parking fine could cost in CBD
Parking fines in Toowoomba could nearly double in the CBD, but the council has denied it was about revenue raising. Here’s much it could cost you:
$10k boost as Toowoomba town crier’s contract extended
The Garden City’s well-known town crier will remain in the role for the next four years, and has received a bump in his remuneration for the role to $10,000.
Federal budget preview: Toowoomba leaders reveal their wishlists
Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald and Groom MP Garth Hamilton have outlined their wishlists for tonight’s federal budget — and they have differing views on a key issue.
Controversial subdivision in growth area sells to new developer
A large parcel north of Toowoomba with a new subdivision in a fast-growing area has sold to a new developer.
‘Fantastic’: Toowoomba leaders excited by $650m testing facility concept
A concept for a $650m vehicle testing facility near Wellcamp, which reportedly has the backing of global partners, has excited two of Toowoomba’s most influential leaders.
Map reveals mayor’s big problem with $25m CBD parklands project
Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald says funding for the $25m Railway Parklands project has hit a major obstacle that must be cleared if it is to progress, with a map showcasing the problem.
‘World leading’ $650m vehicle testing facility planned for Qld
WATCH THE VIDEO: Some of the world’s biggest car companies could be testing their new vehicles in Toowoomba if a proposal for a state-of-the-art $650m research and development facility gets moving.
$110m subdivision’s latest stage to include major highway upgrade
Construction is set to start on the latest stages of a $110m housing estate north of Toowoomba, which will also include the major upgrade of a highway intersection.
‘Madness’: Outrage over new speed limit on main city street
Views over a new speed limit on a main road in Toowoomba have been aired on social media, with residents calling the speed drop “madness”. Vote in our poll.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/council