Members revealed in council’s new environment committee

More than a dozen residents have been endorsed by the Toowoomba Regional Council to form the inaugural environment advisory committee.

Queens Park.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has endorsed 13 community members to be part of a new Environment Advisory Committee.

TRC chair of planning and development Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the new committee was a great step forward for the council and the environment.

“The new committee would provide advice on matters relating to the natural environment and sustainability of the region,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan.

“Councillors originally requested a diverse and experienced committee membership, and the broad range of our community members certainly fit the bill.

“The membership represents the interests of the community, professionals, agriculture, education and tourism.

“The members represent the interests of the community, professionals, agriculture, education and tourism and links the council to various local environmental groups including Landcare, Friends of the Escarpment Parks, Condamine Alliance, Wildlife Preservation Society, Darling Downs Environment Council and the HOPE Organisation.”

Cr O’Hara Sullivan said of the appointees, 69 per cent held one or more accredited qualifications in the environment or scientific field or equivalent.

“I’m excited about the expertise that the membership will bring to this new advisory committee,” she said.

“The committee will provide high-level leadership, advice and recommendations on issues within the committee’s terms of reference.

“Some of the committee’s objectives include providing policy advice on ways to protect and enhance our region’s natural assets, matters of local environmental significance including biodiversity and sustainable urban design through to strategy aimed at improving climate resilience; and responding to the challenge of climate change.”

The formation of the committee was subject to controversy within the council, most notably over the use of the term “climate change” and also the level of accreditation required by the applicants.

Committee members: Penny Claringbull, David Carberry, Vincent Parisi, Jayne Thorpe, Michael Kennedy, Sid Plant, Cam Mackenzie, Vicki Green, Hubert Krenske, Ian Whan, Bernie Ingle, Alistair Silcock and Jude Cook.