|
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.
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
|
|
Councillor Cahill’s Corner
We are now one third of the way through 2010 and the year is passing quickly…and with more short weeks coming up it will be no time before the end of the financial year arrives.
This year has been extremely busy and a lot has happened in a few short months. Completion of the Wivenhoe to Cressbrook pipeline has secured Toowoomba’s bulk water supply for many years. In addition, heavy rains during February and early March lifted levels in our water supply dams by 9%, from 8.1% to 17.1%. More good rain immediately before Easter combined with water pumped through the Wivenhoe pipeline now has the dams sitting at 18%.
Due to the pipeline commencing operations and increased dam levels, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) eased water restrictions. After five years with no outside watering, residents whose properties are connected to Toowoomba’s bulk water supply can now use a bucket to water gardens. In addition, they can use a hose for 30 minutes once per week garden watering. Although TRC eased restrictions are still the toughest in Australia, I personally believe that the trigger points for the easing of water restrictions should be higher. Yes, we have received good rain recently, but the weather is unpredictable and we cannot be sure when we will get the next heavy rains.
The community is keen to be involved and have its say on a vision for the future. This follows the release of council’s Strategic Directions documents. Strategic Directions is a process which will influence other council plans such as the Community Plan and Regional Planning Scheme. Strategic Directions provides a vision for the long-term future of the region. This vision cannot be realised without input from residents so it was good to see residents taking the time to submit their views, suggestions and concerns about the region’s future. Council certainly will consider submissions from the public when preparing the new Regional Planning Scheme and making other decisions which will affect the region’s future.
In other planning matters, council will soon release its draft Toowoomba CBD Master Plan. Let’s face it – Toowoomba’s CBD needs a lift. As Toowoomba is the region’s largest city, its CBD is the commercial, cultural and social hub of not only TRC area but also the wider Darling Downs and Maranoa regions. A vibrant, aesthetically pleasing city heart will project a prosperous and dynamic region. Currently, some areas of Toowoomba’s CBD fall short in this respect.
In addition to the CBD Master Plan, council has been developing Local Area Plans for specific areas in the region. The Highfields/Cabarlah area is included in the eight local plan areas. Local Area Plans detail existing infrastructure and services such as shopping precincts, schools, roads, entertainment and cultural facilities, residential areas, parks, open space and areas recreation. Based on current and projected growth rates, the plans address future population in these areas and the resulting infrastructure, facilities and service needs. Council will soon put Draft Local Area Plans out to public consultation and will conduct a series of public workshops at which residents, community groups and business operators can provide valuable feedback regarding the draft plans. Council will carefully consider feedback before adopting Local Area Plans. When confirmed, dates and venues for these workshops will be advertised through local media.
It is through planning now that future councils can better meet the lifestyle needs of growing communities.
Councillor Bill Cahill
|
|
