General News
13 July, 2026
Woolshed, Showgrounds, Aquatic Centre to benefit from upgrades in TRC Budget
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC)'s $728 million Budget for 2026-27, includes $1.35 million for upgrades to the Jondaryan Woolshed, Oakey Showgrounds, and Oakey Aquatic Centre, and plans to duplicate several rural roads.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
A $728 million sustainable financial plan
$492 million in operational expenditure
$236 million for capital projects
A 6.9 per cent base general rate rise for ratepayers, equating to around $2.38 per week for a City Urban Residential A Property, after discounts are factored in, noting that changes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
No increase to the Public Transport Levy, Waste Facilities and Landfill Rehabilitation Levy, or Waste Collection Service.
A 5 per cent pay-on-time discount for residential ratepayers, plus pensioner rebates of $120 per year for general rates for about 11,000 pensioner households and $70 per year for water infrastructure charges for about 10,000 pensioner households.
Major areas of capital expenditure will include:
$9.06 million for Community Services and Facilities
$18.7 million for Parks and Recreation
$17.6 million for Business Operations
$40.89 million for Roads, Drainage, Footpaths and Bikeways
$14.94 million for Waste Services
$12.5 million for Wastewater
$40.98 million for Water
$81.4 million for Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
MAYOR SAYS BUDGET CAREFULLY PLANNED
Mayor Geoff McDonald said the 2026/27 Budget had been carefully prepared to balance affordability for households and businesses with the need to deliver the services and infrastructure that residents rely on.
“This is a Budget for today’s priorities and tomorrow’s opportunities,” Mayor McDonald said.
“We know households and businesses are continuing to face cost-of-living pressures and Council has taken a disciplined and measured approach to every decision in this Budget.
“At the same time, the cost of delivering essential services continues to rise, from electricity, and uncertainty around fuel and insurance through to construction materials and major infrastructure. This Budget responds to those realities while protecting the long-term financial strength of our Region.
“The Budget includes $492 million for operational expenditure and $236 million for capital works, while delivering a modest surplus to help sustain services, meet ongoing infrastructure needs and build resilience in uncertain times.”
The 2026/27 Budget includes a base general rate rise of 6.9 per cent, equating to around $2.38 per week for a City Urban Residential A property after discounts are factored in.
Council will retain the five per cent pay-on-time discount for residential ratepayers.
Pensioner rebates of $120 per year for general rates, supporting 11,000 pensioner households, and a further pensioner rebate of $70 per year for water infrastructure charges for some 10,000 pensioner households, have also been retained.
“We have worked hard to balance affordability with the need to maintain essential services, invest in critical infrastructure and secure our long-term sustainability,” Mayor McDonald said.
“We also recognise some members of our community need additional support, which is why discounts and rebates remain available for eligible residents, including pensioners.”
FOCUS ON WATER
Water security remains a major focus in 2026/27, with $81.4 million allocated to continue the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project, which will raise the dam wall and widen the un-gated spillway to improve flood resilience and water security.
“Major water and wastewater investments also include a new reservoir on Harch Road in Highfields, a new sewer pump station and mains on Kuhls Road, upgrades to the Glenvale Reservoir Water Main, Pittsworth water supply infrastructure and Yarraman Water Treatment Plant, and ongoing work through the Water Main Renewal Program,” the Mayor said.
CONTROVERSIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT LEVY REMAINS
“There will be no increase to the Public Transport in the 2026/27 Budget,” the Mayor said
“The levy will continue to support safer and more accessible bus stop infrastructure, new trial services for regional communities, weekend FlexiLink trials and a weekday-bus service trial in other parts of the Region.
The State Government’s recent long-term funding commitment will further strengthen these efforts, enabling Council to expand and enhance public transport initiatives across the Region.”
“With one of the longest road networks of any local government in Queensland, we understand how important it is to keep improving our roads while also supporting better public transport options.”
NEW FLEXILINK TRIAL ON WEEKENDS FOR KINGSTHORPE AND GOOMBUNGEE
Residents in Kingsthorpe, and Gowrie Junction will soon be able use a trial public transport service to get to Wilsonton Shopping Centre.
Likewise, Goombungee and Meringandan West residents will soon have the chance to access transport to Highfields Village.
LOBBYING PRODUCES SAVINGS ON WASTE DISPOSAL
Mayor McDonald said TRC’s advocacy had also delivered a positive result for residents, with no increase to waste charges this financial year following the State Government’s decision to transition Council from the metropolitan waste levy zone to the regional zone.
“Without this change, Council would have needed to increase waste charges to recover an additional $3 million in this budget to offset the State Government’s Waste Disposal Levy,” he said.
“We will always be strong advocates for our community and we appreciate the State Government taking action to assist.
“These measures, coupled with the ongoing commit-ment of Council staff in delivering for our community, have assisted in ensuring we deliver a Budget that is focused on today’s priorities and tomorrow’s opportunities.”
WHAT NORTH ZONE IS GETTING RANKED BY BUDGET
1. Crows Nest - Haden Road ($1.8 million)
Upgrading the road to two lanes.
2. Djuan Road, Haden rehabilitation ($1.6 million)
Rehabilitating Djuan Road.
3. Jondaryan Woolshed renewal ($740,000)
This project will restore ageing assets on-site across a number of years.
4. Oakey Showground toilets and pavilion ($400,000)
A new pavilion has been constructed. Work this financial year will support the progressive development of the showground.
5. Myall Creek Bridge renewal, Irvingdale ($400,000)
Widening of bridge and approaches on Bowenville Moola Road at the Myall Creek crossing.
6. Oakey Aquatic Centre renewal ($250,000)
Design completion this financial year with construction scheduled for the 2027-28 financial year
7. Oakey Biddeston Road stage 3 ($200,000)
Widen existing road to two lanes from Crosshill to Buckley Roads.
8. Jondaryan Saint Ruth Road, Jondaryan ($150,000)
Upgrade between Jondaryan Evanlsea Road and Bowenville Norwin Road from single lane to double lane.
WHAT EMERGING ZONE IS GETTING RANKED BY BUDGET
1. Highfields Road/O’Brien Road/Kratzke Road intersection ($6.8 million)
This multi-year project will upgrade the existing intersection to accommodate the predicted increase in traffic in Highfields.
2. Kuhls Road new sewer pump station ($5.3 million)
New sewer pump station and mains constructed on Kuhls Road to resolve pumping issues and facilitate future developments in Highfields.
3. Glenvale reservoir water main upgrade ($4 million)
Upgrade 2.4km of water mains and modify valves to increase inlet pressure to reservoir.
4. Gowrie Creek trunk sewer renewal ($3.05 million)
Replace four sections of sewer gravity main located on Goombungee Road, Cranley.
5. Harch and Lawrence Road new reservoir and mains ($2.9 million)
The project is to design and construct a new reservoir located on Harch Road in Highfields. It also includes inlet and outlet mains running from the New England Highway into the reservoir compound.
6. Park upgrades
Upgrading a number of parks throughout the emerging zone including McLachlan Drive in Highfields, Melanie Street Park in Cotswold Hills and Captain Cook Recreation Reserve in Toowoomba.
