TRC endorses new Advisory Committee, external group representatives

Toowoomba Regional Council has endorsed the appointment of Councillors to Advisory Committees, working groups, industry bodies and community organisations.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said appointments for Council’s continuing Advisory Committees for the next four years included:

Multicultural Advisory Committee: Cr James O’Shea, Cr Carol Taylor.

Regional Active and Public Transport Advisory Committee: Cr Carol Taylor, Cr Bill Cahill, Cr Edwina Farquhar.

Regional Arts Development Fund Advisory Committee: Cr Melissa Taylor, Cr Trevor Manteufel.

Regional Youth Advisory Committee: Cr James O’Shea, Cr Gary Gardner.

Toowoomba Region Aerodrome Advisory Committee: Cr Carol Taylor, Cr Edwina Farquhar.

Toowoomba Region Biosecurity Advisory Committee: Cr Kerry Shine, Cr Edwina Farquhar.

Agricultural Transport and Logistics Working Group: Cr Carol Taylor, Cr Gary Gardner.

Australia Day Co-ordinating Committee: Cr James O’Shea.

International Relations Working Group: Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, Cr Carol Taylor, Cr Edwina Farquhar.

Appointments for community groups, industry bodies and external committees include:

Council of Mayors (South East Queensland - COMSEQ): Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff (Alternate Director).

Council of Mayors (COMSEQ), Economic Development Committee: Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff (Alternate Director).

Council of Mayors (COMSEQ), Resilient Rivers Taskforce: Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff (Alternate Director).

CrimeStoppers Toowoomba: Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald or the Mayor’s delegate.

Darling Downs & South West Queensland Council of Mayors (DDSWQ-COM): Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald.

Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board: Cr Tim McMahon.

Eastern Downs Regional Road Group (EDRRG): Cr Carol Taylor, Cr Trevor Manteufel, Cr Gary Gardner.

LGAQ Waste Advisory Committee: Cr Melissa Taylor.

Safer Toowoomba Regional Partnerships: Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald or the Mayor’s delegate' 

Spring Bluff Railway Station Trust Management Committee: Cr James O’Shea, Cr Tim McMahon, Cr Trevor Manteufel, Cr Kerry Shine.

Study Toowoomba: Cr Melissa Taylor.

Several Advisory Committees and Working Groups will not continue in the new term for various reasons, including project completion, the establishment of internal management panels and unfunded projects.

Ceased Advisory Committees and Working Groups include:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Council wishes to consult with the Region’s Indigenous community to understand the best way/s to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on issues affecting them. Following consultation, Council will establish an advisory committee or working group or reference group. This is expected to be undertaken in the next three months. Council intends to establish a form of group or committee covering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement during Council’s term.

Regional Access and Disability Advisory Committee The working group/advisory group has been reviewed and will be transitioned to an internal management group with external representation. The structure of the working group will be finalised by end of September 2024 with advertising for external representation to be carried out in October 2024.

Toowoomba Region Development Industry Reference Group An internal management reference group will be established and convened on an ad-hoc basis. Councillors will be able to attend any meeting as observers.

Bridge Street Quarry Development Advisory Committee This project is not funded by Council or any other party. Should funding circumstances change, a committee may be established in the future.

Environment Advisory Committee An internal management reference panel will be established and convened on an ad-hoc basis. Councillors will be able to attend any meeting as observers.

Heritage Advisory Committee An internal management reference panel will be established and convened on an ad-hoc basis. Councillors will be able to attend any meeting as observers.

Queensland Day Co-ordinating Committee Working Group A Working Group is not required as Council no longer coordinates a Queensland Day celebration.

Escarpment Trails Opportunities Working Group A working group is not required following the endorsement of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Escarpment Mountain Bike Master Plan 2019-26.

Pittsworth Pioneer Historic Village Management Committee The management committee has been reviewed and will continue but be amended to exclude elected Council representatives.

Public Art Reference Group for Carnival Lane Project completed. The reference group is not required.

Public Art Reference Group for Highfields Library Project Project completed. The reference group is not required.

Public Art Reference Group for Russell Street Streetscape Refresh Project completed. The reference group is not required.

Regional Camping Reference Group The reference group is not required.

Mayor McDonald said the breadth of Councillors’ representation across the advisory committees and external organisations established strategic partnerships that contributed to the liveability of the area, provided an additional avenue for effective consultation, and kept community views on different issues at the forefront of discussions.

The appointments were endorsed at the May Ordinary Meeting of Council.