Planning studies

This study looked at issues and options relating to future residential development in the Region. It helped inform the Planning Scheme.

Read the Residential Land Use Study (2009)(PDF, 56MB).

This study looked at issues and options relating to future industrial development in the Region. It informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Industrial Land Use Study (2010)(PDF, 11MB).

This study looked at issues and options relating to future commercial and retail development in the Region. It informed the Planning Scheme. 

Read the Activity Centres Study (2009)(PDF, 69MB) .

This study identified areas of potential bushfire hazard within the Region. It looked at the development issues to address in those areas. This study informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Bushfire Hazard Study (2009)(PDF, 3MB).

This study consolidated existing flood-related information and recommended how to use that information to guide development in affected areas. It informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Flood Study (2009)(PDF, 4MB).

This study identified areas of steep and unstable land within the Region. It looked at development assessment issues to address in those areas. The study formed part of the Planning Scheme.

Read the Steep and Unstable Land Study (2009)(PDF, 2MB).

The Vegetation Study (January 2010) identified known areas of significant vegetation within the Region. It  looked at development issues to address in those areas.

The Vegetation Extension Study (July 2010) update improved vegetation mapping through:

• additional field survey and sampling
• remote sensing
• aerial photography interpretation
• modelling.

It addressed deficiencies highlighted in previous vegetation and bushfire hazard planning studies. These studies both informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Vegetation Study (January 2010)(PDF, 2MB).

Read the Vegetation Extension Study (July 2010)(PDF, 51MB).

This study identified significant wetlands and waterways within the region. It looked at the development issues to address in those areas. The study information the Planning Scheme.

Read the Wetland and Waterways Study (2009)(PDF, 256KB).

This study looked into issues and options relating to using and developing land within the rural areas of the Region. It informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Rural Land Use Study (2009)(PDF, 16MB).

This study identified the landscapes within the Region that the community values. It gave available options to protect them. This study informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Scenic Amenity Study (2009)(PDF, 16MB).

This study identified places of heritage significance and urban character. It made recommendations on how to protect the values in those places. This study informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Heritage and Urban Character Study (2010)(PDF, 22MB).

This study analysed the existing supply of sport and recreation facilities in the Region. It gave recommendations on meeting future sport and recreation facility needs. This study informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Regional Strategic Sport and Recreation Plan (2010)(PDF, 4MB).

This study investigated the issues and options relating to transport within the Region. It informed the Planning Scheme.

Read the Transport Study (2010)(PDF, 5MB).

This update looked at economic activity associated with the growth of the Surat Basin and South West Queensland. It considered land supply requirements to 2031 and implications for the industrial land use strategy for the Region. It was undertaken after we adopted the Planning Scheme.

Read the Industrial Land Use Study (2012)(PDF, 101MB).

Commercial & Retail Land Needs Review (2012) looked at economic and major development changes since 2009 that may influence commercial and retail land supply in the Region.

The study had two parts:

• Part 1 provides an updated economic assessment of the commercial and retail sectors, including land supply demand. Read Commercial & Retail land needs component 1(PDF, 3MB).
• Part 2 looks at opportunities for large footprint development within the Toowoomba City centre. It includes demonstration structure plans illustrating design principles and outcomes consistent with the Toowoomba City Centre Master Plan. Read Commercial & Retail land needs component 2(PDF, 2MB).

Following extensive flooding across the Region in December 2010 and January 2011, we commissioned flood studies in 35 locations to better understand how flooding impacts our communities. These studies incorporated the latest data, modelling techniques and community input. They informed the Flood Risk Assessment, Planning Evaluation and Scheme Amendment [FRAPESA] project(PDF, 121MB).

Read  Flood studies for a safer, stronger, more resilient region (2015).

This study analysed the existing supply of open space within the Region. It provided recommendations on how to meet open space needs in the future. This study was undertaken as background to the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012.

This work has now been updated by the Open Space Strategy 2016.

Read the Open Space Network Study (2012)(PDF, 4MB).

This strategy provides the framework for protecting, enhancing and managing open spaces in the Region. It outlines the minimum standard of service for parks. The strategy is the basis for open space delivery through the Local Government Infrastructure Plan.

Read the Open Space Strategy (2016)(PDF, 87MB).