Our $105m community: The areas fuelling region’s property boom
Two communities just outside Toowoomba have seen $105m in construction over the past 12 months — and it’s fuelling a property and construction boom worth nearly $600m.
Tooowoomba regional council
Keep up to date with all the big decisions, new projects, and announcements from the Toowoomba council.
Agent: Why rising house prices will boost new CBD living projects
Dozens of new units in the middle of the Toowoomba CBD are in the pipeline, and one agent says the conditions are finally right for the market to embrace them.
Starting soon: Major Toowoomba CBD project to support 1000 jobs
The company helmed with building a major new unit tower in the Toowoomba CBD says the project could be transformative for the city’s centre. Details here:
Revealed: Why 19 popular events will have to fight for funds
They were attended by nearly 17,000 people over the past year, but 19 Toowoomba community events will face a fight to earn council funding — and for some, it will mean far less cash.
Revealed: New housing estate planned for leafy Toowoomba suburb
A new boutique subdivision is coming to one of Toowoomba’s leafiest suburbs, as development ramps up across the city to meeting demand for housing.
Why small town residents plan to fight approval of new units
A new four-unit development near the centre of a small town outside Toowoomba has been approved, but it potentially faces a fight from neighbouring residents.
4100 workers gone: What’s behind city’s alarming new labour trend
A sudden drop in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley’s workforce in 12 months has the region’s leaders posing why, and suggesting how it can be rectified.
Why key step in Quarry Gardens could take two years to finish
Supporters of one of the most discussed and anticipated projects in Toowoomba will need to be patient, with a key step expected to take until 2024 to complete.
Plan for 1000-lot city estate killed after six-year council battle
It was touted as a major development that could help ease the city’s housing woes. But now the estate is dead in the water, after a six-year battle with council that ended up in the courts.
Concern over city’s housing crisis as developers issue ‘dire’ warning
Toowoomba’s development industry has again issued a warning that the city faces a ‘dire’ shortage of available housing. And now the council appears to agree to some extent.
Drive-through: Future of major Toowoomba eyesore revealed
It’s one of Toowoomba’s most notable eyesores, having been a long-time restaurant before it was closed and left vacant. Now there appears to be some movement from the owners.
Water restrictions to ease – what it means for your household
After months being on tough water use rules, residents can now enjoy a bit more freedom after most communities were dropped to low-level restrictions. What it means for your family:
No orders for Toowoomba-made aircraft after $155m project named
After more than $150m of funding, the first aircraft to be assembled in the Toowoomba region has taken a big step forward. But Boeing says it still hasn’t received an order yet.
Revealed: The $65m project to replace infamous city eyesore
A massive new mixed-use development will replace the old Newtown football ground, one of the most notable eyesores in Toowoomba. See the designs here:
Done deal: $25m CBD parklands funded to complete 30-year vision
A long-discussed and floated project to revitalise the Toowoomba CBD has been given a huge boost, with $25m included in the SEQ City Deal. Details here:
How last-minute council move held back work on $2.2m city servo
A last-minute council request has held back the start of construction on a new service station at a major Toowoomba intersection.
Exclusive: Vonhoff to challenge McDonald for deputy mayor
A showdown is brewing at the coming council meeting, with Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff to challenge incumbent Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald for his position. Exclusive details here:
Work starts on $16.5m project to ease city’s housing pressures
With pressure growing on Toowoomba’s housing estate, a major city developer has started work on a new $16.5m project within a leafy suburb. And he’s nearly sold all the lots.
Approved: What’s coming to one of Toowoomba’s richest streets
It’s one of Toowoomba’s richest streets, boasting extravagent mansions and gorgeous escarpment views. Now a new development has been approved on Millionaire’s Row.
Revealed: Why four councillors opposed CEO’s contract extension
Council CEO Brian Pidgeon’s contract will be extended again, but the decision was not without controversy after four councillors voted against it.
Crackdown, fines coming to curb outbreak of abandoned trolleys
Supermarkets and people who are caught taking trolleys away from centres could be penalised under an upcoming council local law.
‘Never passed the test’: Controversial $700m dam back on agenda
A long-discussed dam project is back on the agenda again, after a motion by Mayor Paul Antonio was endorsed by the council. But one of his colleagues said a new study would be a waste of time and money.
National hardware retail chain expands in new Toowoomba plans
A major showroom building is slated to be expanded by its owner in Toowoomba’s western suburbs, with a national tenant having already extended its floor space.
Oakey residents want action after town hit by February floods
After more than 170mm dropped on Oakey during last month’s major heavy rain event, residents are again calling on the council to do more to protect the town.
Ukraine crisis: Toowoomba region ready to take in refugees
As the crisis in Ukraine leads to millions of people being displaced, Toowoomba’s mayor says the region is ready and willing to live up to its status as a refugee welcome zone.
‘It matters’: Female councillors call for action on gender inequality
Just a quarter of all leadership roles within the Toowoomba Regional Council are held by women. The issue has sparked a serious discussion among councillors about how to fix it.
International chain opens at old Toowoomba Sizzler site
It was one of Toowoomba’s most prominent restaurants, but now the old Sizzler corner has been transformed to cater for an international business. Details here.
Floods: More rain ahead as Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley count cost
The clean-up has begun across the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley regions following a damaging flood event on the weekend. But that doesn’t mean the rain has gone away.
Revealed: How key job-creation project could revitalise Yarraman
A project that could revitalise a small town north of Toowoomba has advanced to the next stage, which could end up delivering new jobs to the community.
‘No guarantee’: Mayors express concerns over water pipeline
A massive new water pipeline between Toowoomba and Warwick is being promised by the State Government. But the affected region’s mayors still have concerns.
Toowoomba to Warwick water pipeline advances to next stage
The Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline has advanced to the next stage, here’s how it’s expected to shape regional towns along the way.
‘People will be shocked’: Council approves narrow inner-city lots
Three narrow lots with widths of just 10.5m have been approved for one of Toowoomba’s most famous streets, in a decision that has split the councillors during a special meeting.
Toowoomba CBD parking fees to be slashed for limited time only
The cutting of parking fees is a response to pleas for help from the city’s business community.
Why Toowoomba Regional Council underspent $7m on its workforce
A councillor has questioned why the Toowoomba Regional Council has spent $7m less on its labour force than it had budgeted. Several reasons have been given.
Fast food frenzy: Another franchise joins $55m city precinct
It’s a Toowoomba fast food precinct worth more than $55m in 2021 and featuring now less than 10 major brands. Now a new outlet has been proposed for a franchise already with two locations.
Watch: Sneak peek at upcoming $197m Toowoomba sports precinct
It’s a project that will cost nearly $200m over the next 20 years. Now residents can get a sneak peek at a new sports precinct in Toowoomba that could deliver Olympic-level infrastructure. Watch the video here.
New clinic to combat ‘serious medical condition’ planned for Toowoomba
A new overnight clinic designed to help people with a common health condition has been proposed for a site in Toowoomba.
When report into Toowoomba Olympic events will be released
After several months of planning, a special report into the opportunities present for Toowoomba at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane will be released soon. See details here.
Cost of long-term council water pipeline deal remains confidential
Queensland’s Water Minister has not disclosed how much the State Government’s new deal to pump water from Wivenhoe with the Toowoomba Regional Council will cost.
Telco giant plans to fix mobile dead zone in Toowoomba region
A telecommunications giant has put forward plans to fix a mobile dead zone in the Toowoomba region with a new base station in a southwest rural area.
When lots inside new housing estate will be for sale
Having secured approval, the developer of a massive new subdivision north of Toowoomba has revealed when lots will be available for sale.
Fast food giant’s new Toowoomba store near school splits opinion
A fast food giant’s proposal to build a new Toowoomba location on a busy road and directly opposite a primary school has drawn a backlash from some residents.
Revealed: Toowoomba region’s first vax rate passes 95 per cent
Toowoomba residents have responded to the call to get vaccinated, with the region’s first-jab rate passing 95 per cent. Its second-dose rate is also ahead of Queensland.
Revealed: Massive housing estate could grow city’s urban footprint
A growing part of greater Toowoomba could get even bigger, after a developer proposed a new housing estate that would create a new local centre, parks and a collector road.
New childcare centre planned for growing Toowoomba suburb
The owners of a major showroom and homewares centre in Toowoomba has put forward plans for a new 108-place childcare facility next door.
Shearing shed to be transformed into wedding, function venue
Imagine enjoying a wedding while watching live demonstrations of sheep shearing. That’s what has been proposed for a renovated wool shed southwest of Toowoomba.
Revealed: The 10 council decisions that changed the face of Toowoomba in 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.
Why residents opposed new 22-lot Toowoomba subdivision
Residents living near a planned subdivision in a growth area of Toowoomba have pushed hard against its approval. But the council still gave it the green light.
Selling soon: First lots proposed in city’s newest suburb
Residents will soon be able to register interest to buy lots inside what is being described as Toowoomba’s newest masterplanned community, after the first stage was submitted for approval.
Council taken to court after refusing demolition of ‘derelict’ character house
It’s been vandalised, abandoned and is infested with termites — even some of the doors have been stolen. But this property was rejected for demolition and now the owners have taken the council to court over it.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/topics/toowoomba-regional-council