Environment and Community Committee

The Environment and Community Committee is responsible for matters relating to community development and facilities, library and cultural services, environmental health, parks and recreation, property management, tourism and events. All Councillors are members of the committee.

The notice of meeting, table of contents and agenda items (excluding confidential items) are available on this website - toowoomba.civicclerk.com.au, on the Monday the week prior to the committee meeting. The Committee meets monthly, generally the second week of the month.

Meeting schedule

The meeting schedule can be found in our 'Council meeting structure & meeting schedule' article.

Committee members

His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Geoff McDonald
Councillor Bill Cahill
Councillor Edwina Farquhar
Councillor Gary Gardner
Councillor Tim McMahon
Councillor Trevor Manteufel
Councillor James O’Shea
Councillor Kerry Shine
Councillor Carol Taylor
Councillor Melissa Taylor
Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff

Terms of reference

Scope

The Environment and Community Committee will be a standing committee of Council and these Terms of Reference will provide guidance for the matters that are to be referred to and considered by the Committee.

Aim

To consider matters relating to the Environment and Community operations of Council and make recommendations to Council on an ongoing basis.

Role

The Committee's role is to provide ongoing leadership and deal with particular aspects of the Council's Environment and Community business, giving detailed deliberation to these matters, before making recommendations to Council.

Responsibilities

The Committee's responsibilities include:

Community Development and Facilities

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
  • Access and equity services (disability)
  • Community development services
  • Multicultural services
  • Older persons
  • Volunteer management
  • Youth services
  • Community support services
  • Cemetery management
  • Commercial function venues

Tourism and Events

  • Conference and events marketing
  • Event development, co-ordination and support
  • Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
  • Tourism and events development and destination marketing
  • Visitor information centres and services

Property Management

  • Aquatic and fitness facilities
  • Theatre services
  • Civic assets general
  • Property services
  • Trade services
  • Community/Town Halls
  • Showgrounds

Library and Cultural Services

  • Cultural development
  • Galleries - operations
  • Galleries, cultural development and museums
  • Museums
  • City and Regional library services

Environmental Health

  • Animal management
  • Civic assets - parking
  • Corporate policy and local laws
  • Disaster management
  • Environmental health
  • Regulated parking service
  • Building and development compliance

Parks and Recreation

  • Caravan parks
  • Grass control
  • Nursery operations
  • Park facilities
  • Parks strategy, planning and design
  • Pest/land management
  • Public gardens
  • Sport and active recreation facilities
  • Sport and recreation development
  • Street and park trees

Membership

Membership of the Committee is to include all Councillors.

Quorum

A quorum of the Committee is a majority of its members (i.e. 6).

Meeting frequency

Unless otherwise determined, the Committee will meet on the Wednesday following the second Tuesday of each month commencing at 9.00 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.

Reporting requirements

The Committee is required to keep minutes of its meetings pursuant to section 254F of Local Government Regulation 2012.

Review of terms of reference

These terms of reference are to be reviewed from time to time, as necessary.

Agendas, minutes & livestreams

Council meeting agendas and minutes can be accessed via toowoomba.civicclerk.com.au

Livestreams can be found on YouTube.