Since the amalgamation in early 2008 of several local government authorities, the former Crows Nest Shire is now part of Toowoomba Regional Council.

FAQs
Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding services and facilities under the Toowoomba Regional Council. If you have any other queries, please contact the relevant service centre in your area.

• Where are the district service centres?
District service centre offices operate in Greenmount, Goombungee, Clifton, Crows Nest, Highfields, Pittsworth, Millmerran, Oakey and Toowoomba.

Crows Nest – 25 Emu Creek Road. Phone 4698 1155. Office hours 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Highfields – Cultural Centre, O’Brien Road. Phone 4630 8925.
Goombungee – 89 Mocatta Street. Phone 4696 7900. Office hours 8.30am to 4.45pm, Monday to Friday. (Cashier available until 4pm.)
Toowoomba – 153 Herries Street or 543 Ruthven Street. Phone 4688 6611. Office hours 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

• Where can I pay accounts, fines and registrations?
You can make payments to Toowoomba Regional Council at your service centre in the same way you did with your previous council.  Rates, pet registration, parking fines or development applications can be processed at any of the service centres, regardless of where the account originated.

• Will there be any changes to my rates bill?
Before issuing its first rates notices, Toowoomba Regional Council overhauled the rating systems of the previous eight council to introduce a fairer rating system across the region while, at the same time, introducing changes gradually to minimise the impact on individual ratepayers. Council endeavoured to keep any rates rises to a minimum while in some cases, rates may have actually decreased on some properties. Pensioners benefitted in Council’s first budget with higher discounts while pensioners in some of the previous shires will now receive a pensioner discount rebate for the very first time.       
Ratepayers will be able to pay their notices at any of the district service centres. Payment methods will be improved, with B-Pay, credit card, Australia Post, cheque, cash and EFTPOS available across the region.

• Are council rebates still available?
Rebates pertaining to each of the original shire areas will remain in place until further notice. Those living within the former Toowoomba City Council boundary remain eligible for existing rebates on rainwater tanks and hot water recirculation devices. State Government rebates also apply across all service centres. For more information about rebates in your area, please contact your relevant service centre.

• Can I borrow from any library in the region?
Residents and ratepayers can become a member of any library in the Toowoomba Regional Council area by meeting the membership requirements of the particular library, and providing proof of residency for borrowing rights. Library membership is free across the region. Libraries are located in the following areas:

Crows Nest Library – town centre, Crows Nest. Phone 4698 1585.
Goombungee Library – Cultural Centre at 89 Mocatta Street, Goombungee. Phone 4696 7938.
Highfields Library – Highfields Place, Highfields. Phone 4630 8575.
Jondaryan Library – Oakey Civic Precinct, 60 Campbell Street, Oakey. Phone 4692 0154.
Quinalow Library – Daly Street, Quinalow. Phone 4692 1263.
Toowoomba Library – Victoria Street, Toowoomba. Phone 4688 6670.
Yarraman Library – Post Office building, Toomey Street, Yarraman. Phone 4163 8348.

• What are the summer operating hours for each waste management facility?
Crows Nest Refuse Tip is open daily (October to March) from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
Geham refuse Tip is open daily (October to March) from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
Kleinton Refuse Tip is open Thursday to Tuesday from 7.30am to 5pm.
Haden Refuse Tip is open Wednesday to Sunday from 7.30am to 5pm.
Goombungee Refuse Tip is open Wednesday to Friday from 8.30am to 4pm, and weekends from 8.30am to 5pm.
Toowoomba Bedford Street Waste Management Centre is open daily from 7am to 5.30 pm during summer.

• What will happen with food licensing regulations?
There are no changes to the current food licensing requirements. Businesses will continue to be licensed with their local district service centre, with regulations falling under State legislation. If you are purchasing a food premises, you must contact your local service centre and make sure you meet all requirements. If there are any changes to those licensing requirements, business owners will be notified.

Health and fitness centres combine resources

Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness and Highfields Fitness & Recreation centres are combining forces under the new regional council umbrella.

Highfields Health & Fitness offers new gym facilities, gym classes and learn to swim classes in its 25 metre outdoor pool (in the warmer months) while Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness offers an indoor 25 metre heated pool, outdoor heated 50m pool (in the warmer months), gym classes, spa and sauna, café, learn to swim classes and aerobics classes.

To celebrate the new regional council and combining of resources, both centres have special introductory offers for new members.

Contact Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness on 4637 1900 or Highfields Fitness & Recreation on 4615 5511 for more information.

Highfields Cultural Centre

Located in a peaceful bushland setting and with spacious interior and plenty of parking, the Highfields Cultural Centre is the ideal venue for weddings, school concerts, seminars and conferences.
Great facilities and even better service so next time you’re planning an event, call the Highfields Cultural Centre on 46 308 699 for a quote or to make a booking.

Council meetings for 2009

All Toowoomba Regional Council committee meetings are held in Toowoomba in the council chambers, while the ordinary meetings of Council are be held in the region. Committee meetings are held on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month and ordinary meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. 

Committee meetings on a Tuesday incorporate departments from Planning and Development Services, Engineering Services, and Water and Wastewater.

Committee meetings on a Wednesday incorporate District Services, Strategic Services, Environmental and Community Services, and Corporate Services. All meetings start at 9am.

Online events register

There’s no excuse to be stuck for something to do judging by the variety and frequency of events across the Toowoomba Regional Council area.

Follow the links on the Toowoomba Regional Council website or visit ToowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/events to lodge a free entry for your function.

The site contains a central register of the cultural, community, sporting and entertainment activities across the region.

For more information contact the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre on freecall 1800 33 11 55.

For more information regarding this release please contact Angus Moffatt on 4688 6638 or email Angus.Moffatt@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

Authorised by
Jenny Foxton
ACTING SENIOR COMMUNICATION OFFICER
Toowoomba Regional Council