Toowoomba Regional Council first meeting for the new term of Council

The first statutory meeting of Council will be held in The Annex at 10am on Thursday 23 April.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said, “At the first meeting Council will vote on the position of Deputy Mayor as well as assign portfolios to each Councillor.”

“In addition to this, Council will be able to set a date for a Special Meeting of Council to be held, in which we will formally consider a raft of local economic stimulus and relief options.”

Following the Councillors being sworn-in to office earlier this week, TRC Mayor Paul Antonio said Councillors would work through an information session on Tuesday 21 April, before the first statutory meeting of Council.

“With all of the Councillors now sworn-in, Council is in a position where we can consider what local economic stimulus or relief options we can provide within the Toowoomba Region,” Mayor Antonio said.

“The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted life around the world and added a new set of challenges for governments, businesses and the entire community.

“There’s no doubt our top priority must be to examine exactly what assistance or relief local government can offer local businesses and families.

“This is an important first step for the new Council and one which can’t be taken lightly which is why we will hold an information session prior to the first meeting of Council.

“In the first instance, Councillors need to be informed about the long-term financial sustainability of Council and the reserves it has, including how much of those reserves are constrained and what the capacity is for discretionary use.

“It’s also important for Council to consider the support packages available through State and Federal Governments as we don't want to duplicate support. Council genuinely wants to identify local businesses that don’t qualify for support that is already available, and then allocate Council resources where appropriate.”

The information session on Tuesday in The Annex will also act as a dry run for using the technology now required to support Council at its first meeting in the same venue on Thursday.

“We are in uncharted waters and want to ensure all technology has been tried and tested prior to the first meeting of Council so we can live stream that meeting to the public,” Mayor Antonio said.

“It’s crucial we have these first meetings so Councillors fully comprehend what options are available before making any immediate decisions.

“We will ensure our targeted response complements the economic relief packages that have been announced by the State and Federal Governments.”