Toowoomba Region Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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Coordinates | 27°34′30.60″S151°56′48.75″E / 27.5751667°S 151.9468750°E | ||||||||||||||
Population | 178,399 (2022) [1] | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 13.7685/km2 (35.6604/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Established | 2008 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 12,957 km2 (5,002.7 sq mi) [1] | ||||||||||||||
Mayor | Geoff McDonald | ||||||||||||||
Council seat | Toowoomba | ||||||||||||||
Region | Darling Downs | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | |||||||||||||||
Federal division(s) | |||||||||||||||
Website | Toowoomba Region | ||||||||||||||
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The Toowoomba Region is a local government area located in the Darling Downs part of Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by several previous local government areas with histories extending back to the early 1900s and beyond.
In 2018–2019, it had a A$491 million budget, of which A$316 million is for service delivery and A$175.13 million capital (infrastructure) budget. [2]
Prior to the 2008 amalgamation, the Toowoomba Region existed as eight distinct local government areas: the City of Toowoomba and the Shires of Cambooya, Clifton, Crows Nest, Jondaryan, Millmerran, Pittsworth, and Rosalie.
The City had its beginning in the Toowoomba Municipality which was proclaimed on 24 November 1860 under the Municipalities Act 1858, [3] a piece of New South Wales legislation inherited by Queensland when it became a separate colony in 1859. William Henry Groom, sometimes described as the "father of Toowoomba", was elected its first mayor. It achieved a measure of autonomy in 1878 with the enactment of the Local Government Act. With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Toowoomba became a town council on 31 March 1903. On 29 October 1904, Toowoomba was proclaimed a City. [4]
The Toowoomba Region also encompassed four of Queensland's 74 divisions created under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 on 11 November 1879: Clifton, Highfields, Jondaryan and Rosalie. On 31 March 1903, these became Shires. Between 1913 and 1917, a number of changes occurred: the Millmerran and Pittsworth areas voted to split from Jondaryan on 24 April 1913, whilst in the same year Crows Nest became a shire, and in 1914, Cambooya followed. On 19 March 1949, Highfields and Drayton were abolished, with their land going to Crows Nest and Toowoomba respectively.
In July 2007, the Local Government Reform Commission released its report and recommended that the eight areas amalgamate. Its main reason for recommending such a large area was that the region was a growth area and a new organisation would have political advocacy capabilities on behalf of the region. Two other key factors were that Toowoomba's suburbs had expanded well beyond the City of Toowoomba and a new entity would be able to manage the entire area under one plan. Additionally, environmental and natural resource challenges could, in the Commission's view, be better met by an organisation with "a scale and capacity to undertake... management across the region in an integrated manner." Four of the councils, Jondaryan, Millmerran, Pittsworth and Rosalie were rated as financially weak by the Queensland Treasury. While no council had supported the Commission's model, most were willing to consider some form of amalgamation, and the Commission considered whether Millmerran should be united with Dalby or Toowoomba carefully. In the end, its proposal was unchanged. [5] On 15 March 2008, the City and Shires formally ceased to exist, and elections were held on the same day to elect councillors and a mayor to the Regional Council.
Toowoomba Regional Council is unsubdivided and its elected body consists of 10 councillors and a mayor. [6] Neither the Labor Party nor the Liberal National Party officially endorse candidates for council.
The current council, elected in 2020, is:
Position | Councillor | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
Mayor | Geoff McDonald | Independent | |
Councillor | Bill Cahill | Independent | |
Edwina Farquhar | Independent | ||
Timothy McMahon | Independent LNP | ||
Megan O'Hara Sullivan | Independent Labor | ||
James O'Shea | Independent | ||
Kerry Shine | Independent Labor | ||
Nancy Sommerfield | Independent LNP | ||
Carol Taylor | Independent | ||
Melissa Taylor | Independent | ||
Rebecca Vonhoff | Independent LNP |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent LNP | Rebecca Vonhoff (elected) | 77,397 | 7.96 | ||
Independent | James O'Shea (elected) | 60,790 | 6.25 | ||
Independent | Melissa Taylor (elected) | 60,401 | 6.21 | ||
Independent Labor | Kerry Shine (elected) | 58,902 | 6.06 | ||
Independent | Gary Gardner (elected) | 57,155 | 5.88 | ||
Independent LNP | Tim McMahon (elected) | 56,265 | 5.79 | ||
Independent | Carol Taylor (elected) | 52,561 | 5.40 | ||
Independent | Bill Cahill (elected) | 50,050 | 5.15 | ||
Independent | Edwina Farquhar (elected) | 48,765 | 5.01 | ||
Independent Labor | Trevor Manteufel (elected) | 39,979 | 4.11 | ||
Independent | Andrew Reeson | 31,890 | 3.28 | ||
Independent | Mark Orford | 31,492 | 3.24 | ||
Independent | Paul Wilson | 30,086 | 3.09 | ||
Independent | Scot McPhie | 29,207 | 3.00 | ||
Greens | Ellisa Parker | 28,645 | 2.95 | ||
Independent | Eakraj Adhikari | 28,163 | 2.90 | ||
Say NO to WOKE | Nathan Essex | 27,976 | 2.88 | ||
Independent | Chris Brameld | 27,121 | 2.79 | ||
Independent | Chelle McIntyre | 24,626 | 2.53 | ||
Independent | Robert Relvas | 23,951 | 2.46 | ||
Independent | David King | 23,138 | 2.38 | ||
Say NO to WOKE | Adam Carney | 22,442 | 2.31 | ||
Independent | Gavin Mingay | 18,992 | 1.95 | ||
Independent Federation | Martin Hartwig | 18,801 | 1.93 | ||
Westgarths | Leeanne Westgarth | 18,438 | 1.90 | ||
Westgarths | George Westgarth | 13,912 | 1.43 | ||
Westgarths | Angus Westgarth | 11,315 | 1.16 | ||
Total formal votes | 972,460 | 100.0 | |||
Total formal ballots | 97,246 | 89.52 | |||
Informal ballots | 11,384 | 10.48 | |||
Turnout | 108,630 | 85.86 | |||
Party total votes | |||||
Independent | 336,470 | 61.52 | |||
Independent LNP | 133,662 | 13.75 | |||
Independent Labor | 98,881 | 10.17 | |||
Say NO to WOKE | 50,418 | 5.19 | +5.19 | ||
Westgarths | 43,665 | 4.49 | |||
Greens | 28,645 | 2.95 | |||
Independent Federation | 18,801 | 1.93 | |||
Party total seats | Seats | ± | |||
Independent | 6 | 1 | |||
Independent Labor | 2 | ||||
Independent LNP | 2 | 1 |
The Toowoomba Region includes the following settlements:
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1 - split with the former Shire of Crows Nest 2 - split with the former Shire of Jondaryan 3 - split with the former Shire of Cambooya> 4 - split with Lockyer Valley Region>
Cambooya area: Clifton area: Crows Nest area: | Jondaryan area: Millmerran area: | Pittsworth area: | Rosalie area: Mixed-area localities: |
Economic growth potential in the region has been identified through retail, construction and the development of energy resources found in the Surat Basin and in food processing. As well as the development of the newly built Wellcamp Airport and Second Range Crossing, and proposed Inland Rail the city is set to become one of the largest logistical centres in the country as well as a major inland port. [14]
The total population recorded at each census before the foundation of the Toowoomba Region combines the population of its component entities prior to their amalgamation in 2008. Its population was officially recorded for the first time in the 2011 Census.
Year | Total Region | Toowoomba | Cambooya | Clifton | Crows Nest | Jondaryan | Millmerran | Pittsworth | Rosalie |
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1933 | 56,687 | 26,423 | 2,047 | 3,105 | 2,850 | 5,231 | 2,335 | 3,544 | 7,095 |
1947 | 62,548 | 33,290 | 1,780 | 2,760 | 2,361 | 5,346 | 3,012 | 3,599 | 6,716 |
1954 | 70,430 | 43,149 | 1,848 | 2,542 | 3,733 | 5,416 | 3,473 | 3,731 | 6,538 |
1961 | 77,131 | 50,134 | 1,732 | 2,572 | 3,474 | 5,785 | 3,423 | 3,821 | 6,190 |
1966 | 81,757 | 55,799 | 1,617 | 2,549 | 3,244 | 5,752 | 3,512 | 3,713 | 5,571 |
1971 | 84,295 | 59,524 | 1,558 | 2,378 | 3,111 | 5,704 | 3,435 | 3,795 | 4,790 |
1976 | 92,144 | 66,436 | 1,676 | 2,260 | 3,445 | 6,576 | 3,309 | 3,714 | 4,728 |
1981 | 94,605 | 66,698 | 1,894 | 2,188 | 4,125 | 7,832 | 3,047 | 3,605 | 5,216 |
1986 | 106,596 | 73,390 | 2,477 | 2,354 | 5,308 | 9,457 | 3,115 | 3,880 | 6,615 |
1991 | 117,500 | 81,043 | 2,860 | 2,301 | 6,644 | 10,308 | 3,014 | 4,035 | 7,295 |
1996 | 124,849 | 83,633 | 4,079 | 2,308 | 8,644 | 11,056 | 2,830 | 4,264 | 8,035 |
2001 | 132,868 | 86,642 | 4,856 | 2,327 | 10,005 | 12,323 | 3,935 | 4,445 | 8,335 |
2006 | 141,986 | 90,466 | 5,652 | 2,549 | 12,595 | 13,965 | 3,078 | 4,688 | 8,993 |
2011 | 151,189 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
2016 | 160,779 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
2021 | 173,204 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
2022 | 178,399 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
The Toowoomba Regional Council operates the following libraries: [15]
The Toowoomba Regional Libraries also provide a range of services including (but not limited to) free computer and internet access, [17] free computer classes, and a Homebound Library Service for those who are temporarily or permanently home bound. [18]
The Shire of Crows Nest was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, immediately northeast of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire, administered from the town of Crows Nest, covered an area of 1,629.9 square kilometres (629.3 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1913 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to form the Toowoomba Region. Its growth in later years has been fuelled by the expansion of Toowoomba, particularly the suburbs of Highfields and Blue Mountain Heights which, with a combined population of 7,333 in 2006, were home to over half the shire's population.
The Shire of Jondaryan was a local government area located in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, immediately west of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire, administered from the town of Oakey, covered an area of 1,910.0 square kilometres (737.5 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1890 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to form the Toowoomba Region. Its growth in later years has been fuelled by the expansion of Toowoomba and suburbs such as Glenvale and Westbrook.
The Shire of Rosalie was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, immediately northwest of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire, administered from the town of Goombungee, covered an area of 2,200.7 square kilometres (849.7 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1879 until 2008. In 2008, it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to form the Toowoomba Region.
The City of Toowoomba was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, encompassing the centre and inner suburbs of the regional city of Toowoomba. The City covered an area of 116.5 square kilometres (45.0 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity in various forms from 1860 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the surrounding area to form the Toowoomba Region.
The Shire of Millmerran was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southwest of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire covered an area of 4,520.8 square kilometres (1,745.5 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1913 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to become the Toowoomba Region.
The Shire of Pittsworth was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire covered an area of 1,089.5 square kilometres (420.7 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1913 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to form the Toowoomba Region.
The Shire of Cambooya was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, immediately south of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire, administered from the town of Greenmount, covered an area of 638.5 square kilometres (246.5 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1914 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to form the Toowoomba Region.
The Shire of Clifton was a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, southwest of the regional city of Toowoomba. The shire, administered from the town of Clifton, covered an area of 867.5 square kilometres (334.9 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1879 until 2008, when it amalgamated with several other councils in the Toowoomba area to form the Toowoomba Region.
The North Burnett Region is a local government area in Queensland, Australia in the northern catchment of the Burnett River. Established in 2008, it was preceded by several previous local government areas with histories extending back to the early 1900s.
The Cassowary Coast Region is a local government area in the Far North Queensland region of Queensland, Australia, south of Cairns and centred on the towns of Innisfail, Cardwell and Tully. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Shire of Cardwell and the Shire of Johnstone.
The Tablelands Region is a local government area in Far North Queensland, Australia inland from the city of Cairns. Established in 2008, it was preceded by four previous local government areas which dated back more than a century. On 1 January 2014, one of those local government areas, the Shire of Mareeba, was re-established independent of the Tablelands Region.
The Longreach Region is a local government area in Central West Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it superseded three previous local government areas that had existed for more than a century.
The Fraser Coast Region is a local government area in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, about 250 kilometres (160 mi) north of Brisbane, the state capital. It is centred on the twin cities of Hervey Bay and Maryborough and also contains K'gari. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Cities of Maryborough and Hervey Bay and the Shires of Woocoo and most of Tiaro. In June 2018 it had a population of 105,463.
The Southern Downs Region is a local government area in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, along the state's boundary with New South Wales. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Shire of Warwick and the Shire of Stanthorpe.
The Lockyer Valley Region is a local government area in the West Moreton region of South East Queensland, Australia, between the cities of Ipswich and Toowoomba. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Shire of Gatton and the Shire of Laidley. It has an estimated operating budget of A$35m.
The Whitsunday Region is a local government area located in North Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by two previous local government areas with a history extending back to the establishment of regional local government in Queensland in 1879.
The Gympie Region is a local government area in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, about 170 kilometres (110 mi) north of Brisbane, the state capital. It is between the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay and centred on the town of Gympie. It was created in 2008 from a merger of the Shires of Cooloola and Kilkivan and part of the Shire of Tiaro.
Toowoomba–Karara Road is a continuous 82.5 kilometres (51.3 mi) road route in the Toowoomba and Southern Downs regions of Queensland, Australia. Most of the route is signed as State Route 48. Toowoomba–Karara Road is a state-controlled district road. As part of State Route 48 it provides an alternate route between Toowoomba and Inglewood. It is also part of the shortest route from Toowoomba to Texas.