Community & Business
2 June, 2025
Protecting Toowoomba’s garden region legacy
In the lead up to Toowoomba Regional Council’s planning scheme draft being released, The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) has launched a new community campaign, Protect Trees Toowoomba.
DDEC Coordinator Ahri Tallon said there is an opportunity for a positive shift toward contemporary, community-informed environmental planning.
“Toowoomba’s identity and liveability are deeply tied to both its leafy streets and areas of mature trees habitat across the region,” Mr Tallon said.
“We now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect that legacy through strong policy and community will.”
The Protect Trees Toowoomba campaign calls for the protection corridors of habitat through updated ecological mapping in the new planning scheme and for the introduction of local tree protection laws that allow the community to nominate urban significant trees to be considered for protection, similar to Brisbane’s Natural Assets Local Law.
“Other SEQ councils already protect significant trees and corridors of habitat,” Mr Tallon said.
“Toowoomba must now catch up - not just for the sake of the environment, but for our health, heritage, and future resilience.”
The campaign was officially launched last week with a community forum at Highfields.
The meeting featured guest speakers including Toowoomba Region Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff, Cr Bill Cahill and ecologist and 2024 Councillor candidate Scot McPhie.
Mr McPhie said mature trees play an important role in sustaining local biodiversity.
“Each layer of a tree supports different species, from canopy to understorey,” Mr McPhie said.
“If we lose the old trees, we lose the structure of the ecosystem.”
Mr McPhie outlined the ways the environment supports humans and human activity, including how trees reduce urban heat and energy costs by providing shade, and how exposure to natural spaces improves mental health, especially for children and older adults.
“A thriving environment isn’t just good for wildlife, it’s good for all of us,” he said.
The campaign also recognises the essential role of developers in shaping the future of the region.
Speakers emphasised that developers are not adversaries, but key collaborators in delivering development that respects environmental values.
“This is about giving everyone, including developers, clear rules and reliable frameworks,” Mr Tallon said.
“Many developers are open to preserving trees where they can, but they need guidance and a level playing field.
“Our proposed policies will help achieve that.”
Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff and Cr Bill Cahill attended and answered questions from the audience, giving background on where the planning scheme is currently at and urging residents to get involved and make their support for tree protections known as we get closer to the draft planning scheme being released.
Protect Trees Toowoomba invites residents to join the movement by volunteering and declaring their neighbourhood a Tree Keeper Community.
For more information, visit protecttreestoowoomba.weebly.com
