Toowoomba Regional Council’s biggest moments, decisions of 2021

2021 was one of the wildest and most action-packed years for the Toowoomba Regional Council on record, and it only seemed to get crazier as the year drew to a close. Here are the highlights from the past 12 months.

Clockwise from top-left: Councillors Megan O'Hara Sullivan; Paul Antonio; Rebecca Vonhoff; Nancy Sommerfield; Bill Cahill.

In a year dominated by Covid-19 and the politics of mandates, it’s easy to forget how consequential the past 12 months was for the Toowoomba Regional Council.

This was the first full year for the new council and the changing dynamics between both the old and new elected members was often a source of contention.

From mandates to kerbside collection, the Inland and workplace bullying, here are the 10 moments that rocked the Toowoomba Regional Council in 2021.

1. COUNCIL SPLIT ON OLYMPIC REPORT

With Brisbane and southeast Queensland securing the 2032 Olympic Games, the council found itself in a position to capitalise on easily one of the biggest sporting events of all time.

But councillors were split back in April over whether to keep a report from the State Government secret from the public.

After the announcement was made, the council seconded Mark Mason to Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to deliver an opportunities report for the region.

Mr Mason’s report is due early next year.

2. COUNCILLORS CONCERNED BY INLAND RAIL

The Toowoomba Regional Council voted at a special meeting in April to let the Australian Rail Track Corporation it was very concerned with a lack of detail in the company’s environmental impact statement for the Inland Rail.

High on the agenda was water security, with Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff wanting to ensure the region’s drinking water wasn’t used during construction.

Operations of the Jondaryan Woolshed will transition to Toowoomba Regional Council following a decision at the council's Ordinary Meeting on July 20.

3. COUNCIL TAKES OVER JONDARYAN WOOLSHED

One of the most bizarre sagas of 2021 was the ongoing financial woes of the Jondaryan Woolshed, a historical wedding and events venue outside Toowoomba.

The site had been previously managed by an external entity owned by the council, but its fiscal position was severely hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic among other issues.

Issues with the woolshed’s books were raised in March, particularly around an $879,000 disparity between funds given by the council to the woolshed’s board since 2013 for repairs and maintenance and the amount actually listed in financial statements.

The venue was shut for repairs following a council vote.

The council took back operational duties in July, with the board moving to a strategic advisory role.

The Toowoomba Library.

4. LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM UPROAR

The council’s short-lived proposal to cut opening hours for the Toowoomba City Library’s community rooms was one its most unpopular decisions of the year.

When the trial was introduced in March without warning, it caused an uproar among community groups that would use the spaces to hold gatherings and meetings.

The council quickly backtracked and started holding surveys with affected groups, before voting for more relaxed opening hours and access options several months later.

5. COUNCILLOR’S INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT REVEALED

After more than a year being kept secret from the public, a report into Councillor Nancy Sommerfield’s “inappropriate conduct” was revealed in August.

The saga began in February, when Ms Sommerfield was effectively censured by her colleagues following an extensive confidential meeting.

It stemmed from a complaint made about the councillor by a staff member in July last year.

After appealing the council’s original refusal to publish the document, the Office of the Information Commissioner revealed its contents without disclosing specific details.

The complaint was shown to relate to two emails Ms Sommerfield sent, which had the effect of singling out one employee for criticism.

6. COUNCIL WEIGHS UP KERBSIDE COLLECTION, THEN REJECTS IT

Toowoomba residents nearly had a bulk kerbside collection trial this year — but then it was snuffed out.

Councillor Kerry Shine successfully urged his colleagues to green-light a report into a bulk kerbside trial back in May, just a week after the concept was originally rejected.

But councillors again snuffed out the concept in July, after the officers recommended the organisation not proceed with a trial for a variety of reasons.

It appears the service is unlikely to return to Toowoomba for the foreseeable future.

7. NEW PARKLANDS AND A GIANT SLIDE

One of the most eye-raising council moments of the year didn’t even involve the councillors.

The TRC’s planning department launched a new video in July showcasing how the upcoming $65m Railway Parklands project could look once it got off the ground.

Along with offering a connecting green space between the CBD and the northend of the city, the parkland concept also sported some eye-catching features — including a giant slide.

The video earned some varied reactions from residents, many praising the vision while others calling it a waste of money.

Council officers explained the reason for the landmark, saying it was to help draw residents to use the full length of the linear site.

8. COUNCIL BACKS NRL MATCH

The Toowoomba Regional Council played a key role in securing an NRL match for the Garden City earlier this year — and it didn’t cost it any actual money.

Councillors voted at August’s meeting to approve a $21,500 package of in-kind support to host the game between the Roosters and the Dragons at Clive Berghofer Stadium on August 22.

In comparison, Mackay and Rockhampton paid significantly more to host matches.

The event, which was spearheaded by The Chronicle, was worth more than $500,000 for the city and added $220,000 into the economy.

9. BULLYING REPORT TO REMAIN SECRET

In one of the most explosive revelations from 2021, a leaked internal document revealed just three per cent of instances of bullying and sexual harassment within council had actually been reported.

Former employees then spoke up about their experiences, with one saying they were discouraged from making complaints.

The publication of the statistics led to a council vote that the organisation’s workplace culture and reporting systems be investigated.

That independent report returned to council in November, which led to a number of short-term and long-term actions.

However, the council has refused to release the document.

10. FIERCE DEBATE OVER MANDATES

It was a debate that was several months in the making — should the council vocally support the State Government’s vaccine mandate policy?

The conversation came to a head at a fiery meeting this month, with hundreds of anti-mandate protesters listening outside and screaming at councillors.

Councillors Nancy Sommerfield and Bill Cahill spoke against Mayor Paul Antonio’s original motion, criticising its language and message.

In a rare breach of protocol, every councillor was given a chance to speak on the matter.

The first motion was passed 9-2, before a second motion was defeated 3-8 (Councillor Tim McMahon supported both items).