TRC endorses investigation into operating model, not sale, of Toowoomba City Aerodrome
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Toowoomba Regional Council this week (Tuesday, February 18, 2025) endorsed a motion to investigate the future operating model, not the sale or privatisation, of Toowoomba City Aerodrome.
Council endorsed a motion from Cr Melissa Taylor to present a report to the June 2025 Ordinary Meeting of Council to consider various operating models for the Toowoomba City Aerodrome. This could include operating as a separate, controlled entity of Council or a Public-Private-Partnership, among other possible options.
Cr Taylor said under a proposed controlled entity option, Council would retain ownership of the Toowoomba City Aerodrome in the same fashion as other Council-owned entities like the Empire Theatre, the Empire Theatres Foundation and Toowoomba and Surat and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE). These controlled entities submit quarterly financial reports to Council’s Ordinary Meetings and are scrutinised via Council’s established audit procedures.
“Contrary to erroneous media reports, Council has no intention to sell or privatise part or all of the Toowoomba City Aerodrome,” Cr Taylor said.
“Yesterday’s motion will investigate how Council could better support the operations of the Toowoomba City Aerodrome and the businesses that are an important part of the facility.
“There will be an objective review of the advantages and disadvantages of the current operating model and other proposals to deliver better outcomes for Council, the Aerodrome operators and the community.
“The intention of the motion is to improve the future transparency, accountability and efficiency of this important asset.
“This is aimed at giving the Aerodrome a greater commercial focus and providing business operators with fewer constraints on their activities.”
Yesterday’s motion for the investigation into the Aerodrome’s operating model will run concurrently with Council’s operational review into the Toowoomba City Aerodrome’s operations and services, including the financial and non-financial benefits and costs to the community.
This review is examining how Council can be more efficient and effective in its operations to ensure the best return for ratepayers.
The review is being conducted in accordance with the National Competition Policy and appropriate sections of the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Regulation 2012.
In addition, Council is finalising its review to ensure leases and ‘fees and charges’ at the Toowoomba City Aerodrome are commercially competitive and in line with similar aerodromes.
Council will continue to liaise with Toowoomba City Aerodrome tenants as these matters are progressed.