Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme Project

We are preparing a new planning scheme as part of the Toowoomba Region Futures Program. The Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme is a legal requirement and also an opportunity to guide how the region grows over the next 25 years. It will help shape our communities, infrastructure, environment and overall liveability.

The new Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme is one of our most significant statutory and strategic projects. It requires ongoing investment and close collaboration between local and state government, multiple internal teams and a range of planning and built environment specialists.

Find out about upcoming opportunities to participate, share ideas and ways to positively impact the project by following the new Planning Scheme.

Project timeline

Current stage

March 2026 update: we have engaged external expert consultants to assist our team to draft and prepare new planning schemes, natural hazard risk management and policy development and community engagement, with the goal of reaching the first state interest review.

Upcoming stages

• October 2026: request state interest review
• February 2027: public consultation
• September 2027: request approval to adopt new planning scheme
• November 2027: adoption of new planning scheme

Current project update

Key milestones achieved:

• establishment of the project board and project control group, providing clear oversight and accountability
• appointment of specialist consultants who commenced work in late February.
• formation of a dedicated planning scheme delivery team
• agreement with the state government on a streamlined state interest reference group process to support efficient plan‑making
• creation of the Planning and Development Policy and Technical Advice Reference Group, following assessment of 25 expressions of interest
• adoption of an agile, theme‑based drafting and engagement model to support iterative development and regular Councillor involvement
• integration of the Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) project into the broader Planning Scheme Project Management Plan.

The project remains on schedule to deliver key milestones over the next two years.

Our progress on the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme is happening in parallel to the Queensland State Government review of the South East Queensland Regional Plan.

We will be calling on the Queensland Government to ensure the review delivers clear infrastructure commitments and recognises Toowoomba’s role as a critical growth and employment anchor for South East Queensland and the Darling Downs.

Funding

We have been successful in receiving funding from the Queensland Government to progress planning scheme improvements. The scheme supply fund provides financial assistance to local governments for key planning scheme improvements to meet their communities housing needs. The fund is designed to assist with investigations and plan making activities and will form a significant contributory component of the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme Project.