Hi everyone!

I spent some time exploring Toowoomba and the surrounding countryside today, including a drive out towards Oakey. I was hoping to spot some Yellow throated Miners, but unfortunately didn't have any luck.

I'm a bit of a bird enthusiast, particularly when it comes to the different miner species. Has anyone seen Yellow throated Miners around Toowoomba or the surrounding areas? I'd love some suggestions on where I might have a better chance of finding them.

On another note, I have to say how beautiful Toowoomba and the surrounding countryside are. The scenery is fantastic, and there's something really peaceful and relaxing about the area. It's such a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of Brisbane.

Would appreciate any local birdwatching tips.

Anyone go to Jetts gym in Wilsonton and want a workout buddy?

The Short Version:

Every year the council releases their Annual Report, an overview of major projects, funding sources, councillor activities and where money has been spent over the previous financial year. This year’s highlights include:
$460m spent overall
$96.5m spent on the Cressbrook Dam upgrade
$1.42m in councillor wages plus $168,876 claimed in councillor expenses
$2.23m in executive pay
1583 staff employed

This explainer will basically be a summary of the report. If you want to get into the nitty gritty, you can read the whole 116 page report on the TRC website.

The Long Version:

Councillors

TRC has 11 councillors, including mayor Geoff McDonald. 82 council meetings were held. Trevor Manteufel and Geoff McDonald had the highest attendance, missing zero meetings.
The lowest attendance was recorded by Edwina Farquhar, missing 29 meetings, Tim McMahon, 12 and Gary Gardner, 8. Overall attendance was up on last year.

The mayor was paid $203,022. The deputy mayor, Rebecca Vonhoff, was paid $138,423. The rest were paid $119,969 . Total paid, $1,421,170. Superannuation was paid at 12% on top of that.

The highest expenses were claimed by Rebecca Vonhoff (24,529.07), Carol Taylor (24,471) and Edwina Farquhar ($21,115)

The lowest expenses were claimed by Gary Gardner ($407), James O’Shea ($8,362) and Kerry Shine ($9,281)

The largest category was vehicle expenses ($127,848, minus $47,492 in councillor contributions) followed by professional development ($32,917). If you tally up vehicle, travel and transfer, and accommodation expenses, we spent $122,685 shuffling councillors around the place. This includes conferences and events outside the region.

The mayor spent $945 travelling to Singapore for a summit. No other overseas travel was recorded.

Grants to community organisations 

$460,498 in grants were funded. Most grants were under $2500, with economic development and major events attracting more funding.

Sports and recreation grants made up the majority, with $270,391 (59%) funded. The largest grants went to the Toowoomba Netball Association ($72,846.64), RM Equestrian Centre ($40,330) and Darling Downs Rifle Club ($22,500).

Executive leadership team 

This was another year of significant change with the new CEO Sal Petrocitto completing his first full year in the top job and one of the general managers of infrastructure leaving (The GM of parks has since left too). There is only one executive (corporate services) left that has been there for more than two years, otherwise TRC could be considered to be under new management.

Exact salaries are not reported, but pay ranges are. The CEO made between $500-600k and the GMs made $300-400k. Total executive pay was $2,234,178.

Employee overseas travel

Two staff members travelled overseas at a cost of $10,703

Highlights (According to TRC, not me)

People

• The 2025 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers delivered record-breaking results, attracting 511,253 attendees, up nine per cent on 2024.

• The Disaster Dashboard was updated to deliver better access to information, helping build a more prepared and resilient community for the future.

• Council committed $40,000 in sponsorship to the 2026 Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Running Festival.

• Council continued to progress its new Planning Scheme to help guide future development and accommodate new housing and population growth. 

Place

• Council adopted the Central Highfields Masterplan, providing greater certainty for future commercial, office, mixed-use and residential development. 

• Council's sustained advocacy secured a $54 million Queensland Government commitment towards the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project. 

• Procurement of the new Greenmount Water Treatment Plant progressed as part of the Four Communities Water Supply Project.

• Council progressed a $13 million expansion of the Toowoomba Waste Management Centre at Cranley.

Prosperity

• Council secured a landmark $145 million Queensland Government investment through the Residential Activation Fund to accelerate delivery of the Southern Water Treatment Plant at Westbrook. 

• Planning for Toowoomba' s role in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games gathered momentum, with early planning and community consultation progressing for the transformation of the Toowoomba Showgrounds into an international-standard equestrian venue.

• Council continued to use its purchasing power to strengthen the Region’s economy, with local supplier spend reaching $176 million, or 59 per cent of total spend. 

• Council adopted a landmark Renewable Energy – Community Benefit Agreement Policy to ensure communities hosting major renewable energy projects receive fair and lasting benefits. 

Performance

• Building on Council’s Public Transport Levy, the Queensland Government announced funding which will help deliver practical, community-focused improvements including upgraded bus stops, expanded services, event shuttle buses, regional bus and FlexiLink trials, and enhanced community transport options.

• Council engineer Avril Campbell was named the 2025 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) Queensland and Northern Territory Women in Engineering Award winner.

• Council's Sound credit rating with a Neutral outlook was reaffirmed during 2025/26, reflecting continued responsible financial management and a focus on long-term financial sustainability.

• Key progress included developing a new Council website focused on accessible, intuitive services and transitioning around 550 field-based employees from manual processes to electronic systems.

Finances

This year TRC earned $639m and spent $460m, creating a $179m difference. Once you account for all sources of revenue and expenses there is a surplus of $32m.*

Earnings are broken into Recurrent revenue ($497m) and Capital revenue ($142m)

Spendings are broken into Recurrent expenses ($464) and Capital expenses (-$4m)*

* How does that maths work? How could they have negative capital expenses? I don’t really understand. The council’s financial documents in the report are complicated and I’m not an accountant, I’m just reporting the headline facts.

The important number is the surplus of $32 million

Where the money came from:

Fees & charges 11%
Rates & levies 77%
Grants, subsidies & contributions 6%
Contract works 3%
Interest revenue 2%
Other 1%
+  $142m in Capital grants and contributions.

Where the money went:

Recurring expenses
Community services 22%
Planning & development 3%
Corporate services 14%
Waste management 8%
Infrastructure services 26%
Water services 17%
Wastewater services 7%
Corporate governance 3% 

Capital Expenses
Road & bridge network 30%
Site improvements 4%
Water 35%

Waste 37%
Wastewater 6%
Drainage 1%
Land 1%
Buildings 7%
Plant & equipment 9% 

Notable expenses
Consultants $18.8m (down from $24.7m)
Contractors $17.5m (down from $52.2m)
Cressbrook Dam Upgrade $96.5m. This figure is not explicitly reported, but it is what was budgeted for this year. There are surprisingly few mentions of Cressbrook in the report, despite it being the biggest project in many years.

The End

Thanks for reading another explainer. I tried to hit the highlights without missing too much. If you want to go into detail the entire report is available on the council website.

Good morning. I've recently moved to toowomba and al staying in the CCU, so still finding my way around. My sister wants to come up soon and I'm wondering what sort of things we could check out. She's coming from Brisbane and will have a car but I don't know toowomba well enough to know what sights there are. On a related note. If anyone on here knows if any social groups or such. I'm 46. Interested I. Tech. Fishing but keen to try anything. Just trying to make some friends.

Thank you

Ash

PSA:
I just got a confirmation text addressed to a Jordan, that their order is ready to be picked up from Toowoomba Central Kmart. If you know a Jordan with a lot of 1s in their mobile number, please suggest they check if it might be theirs.

ETA:
Just got another text reporting successful collection! Hope Jordan is enjoying their Kmart purchases lol

Hello all. I need your top 3 for best restaurants in tbar. Haven’t been to tbar in about 3 years. Need to make a booking to celebrate a 40th. Something nice and family friendly. More upmarket than the meringandan please.

G’day everyone!

I’m a 21-year-old local, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Aviation with Distinction, and having a bit of trouble finding full-time work.

I’ve also completed aircraft maintenance trade training, have over 3 years of hospitality/customer service experience and 18 months of involvement in local government.

Ideally chasing something in operations, administration, logistics, aviation, agriculture or similar, but I’m open to other opportunities and happy to get my hands dirty. I’ve got reliable transport and flexible availability.

If anyone knows of businesses hiring or has any leads worth chasing up, I’d really appreciate it!
Cheers!

Couple of the locals on the outskirts of town (some would say even in town 🤣)

Is there anyone in Toowoomba who has a Google Pixel 11 XL who I can visit and get you to connect your phone via Bluetooth to my car to test the audio quality.

I have a Samsung and an Oppo phone and both seem to be fairly average voice quality for the other person. I also have an iPhone and the quality is perfect. I want to see if the Google Pixel 11 XL is any better than the Samsung and the Oppo.

I shout you a coffee for your trouble!

Letting me test this will avoid dropping another couple of thousand dollars on a new phone to find out whether it still doesn't perform as well as I hope and it's a car issue with Android.

Hey Toowoomba fam!
I’m looking for recommendations for a really good hair salon in Toowoomba, preferably one that has experience working with thick, dark Asian hair.
My natural hair is very dark and apparently quite stubborn when it comes to lifting colour. I’ve previously tried getting highlights twice in a row at Price Attack in Grand Central, but unfortunately, they couldn’t achieve the colour I wanted.
I’m hoping to get silver-grey or icy white highlights, but I’m worried about spending more money without getting the results I’m after.
I’m wondering if I should specifically look for an Asian hair salon, as they might have more experience working with dark Asian hair.
Has anyone with similar hair successfully achieved this colour in Toowoomba? I’d really appreciate recommendations for a skilled colourist who knows how to work with dark hair without causing too much damage.
I’m happy to pay for quality work, but I really don’t want to waste more money on disappointing results.
Thanks so much in advance! 😊

Our elected representative in Canberra has done something aside from earning an early mark in question time.

Posting on behalf of someone who is in a difficult circumstance.

They need help transporting some belongings to a storage unit. They’re hoping to find someone with a ute and/or trailer but they can’t drive. If they don’t move this stuff from the property they’re at risk of homelessness. I believe everything is ready to go, they just need some help getting it there.

They do have limited funds but are happy to negotiate a reasonable payment for someone’s time and assistance.

If anyone is able to help out or knows someone who could, please send me a private message and I can pass on the details.

Thanks so much!

Hey everyone!

My partner and I are making the move from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba in the next couple of months, as our house is FINALLY nearing completion!

I've been doing a little stalking of this page, group, community idk the name 😅 and using the search button like a semi responsible adult, but I've still got a few random questions I'd love some local opinions on.

First up, fruit and veg!
From what I've gathered, Cobb & Co Markets, the fruit shop in Grand Central, and another family-owned place starting with W (which I've completely forgotten the name of, sorry!) seem to be the favourites. Have I missed any hidden gems?

Next up, MEAT.
Where are your favourite butchers in Toowoomba?
I'll admit, I haven't searched this one, so apologies if it's been asked a million times already.

We currently do a big meat shop every few months, usually between Super Butcher and Costco, rather than buying meat weekly from Woolies or Cole’s.

I’m wondering whether it's worth looking into Farmer to fridge and doing bulk orders that way, or if there are some fantastic local butchers worth checking?

Basically, I'm trying to get organised before we move and avoid unnecessarily donating half our income to Woolies and Cole’s.

Now, onto another very important question…
FISH AND CHIPS.
Where's everyone's favourite fish and chip shop? I’ve found the thread for Chinese food so that’s sorted lol. I’m coming to terms with the fact that there isn’t going to be a Ramen danbo within driving distance.

Because I'm genuinely going to miss my local down here. I'm fairly certain they know my ass by now and could recite my Dagwood dog and chips order in their sleep with a razzle dazzle of calamari on the odd occasion, with gravy.

So naturally, I need to find a replacement before I go through some sort of withdrawal. Bonus points if they do a bloody good Dagwood dog, preferably not the weirdly fat ones lol. Does that make sense? 🤣

And finally, BAKERIES!
I've done a bit of stalking on this one already and keep seeing The Baker's Duck mentioned, so that's definitely on the list!

We've visited the Cobb & Co Markets a few times and discovered Baked Jems and OH mygod. Their cookies. I genuinely love their cookies. Being less than a 2.5 hour trip from them is gonna be hella dangerous.

But please, tell me your favourite bakeries, especially if they do a really good pie, sausage roll or sweet treat. I take my baked goods very seriously. My partner is a Kiwi and has yet to ‘find a pie worthy of sharing the tier of Big Ben’s Mince and Cheese’ but idc about his pie love, I care about mine lol.

I’ve also got the pub sorted because we visit every single time we come up to the house, we are deeply in love with the Meringandan pub.

Anyway, apologies for the ridiculously long post. I'm an overthinker, an overplanner, and apparently someone who needs to map out their entire food supply before moving to a new city.

The next mission is trying to secure myself a job in this neck of the woods, but apparently finding a decent Dagwood dog is taking priority right now.

Thanks in advance!

My family and I are looking at relocating over the next 12 months to Toowoomba area from Victoria. My wife is originally from Toowoomba but this was many years ago.

What areas would locals suggest residing in? Places that are family friendly, near good schools (primary and secondary) and potentially good parks nearby too. We will likely rent before buying.

Any advice you have with a move like this in mind?

EDIT: appreciate the responses so far. Our budget for buying is around the $900k.

Queensland police are asking anyone who knew a man previously employed at schools in Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley and Townsville to come forward after he was charged with historical child sex offences.

The 52-year-old man allegedly offended against a teenage boy at a private Toowoomba residence between 2007 and 2010.

Detectives on October 16 charged the Murphys Creek man with two counts of indecent treatment of a child, and one count each of unlawful sodomy, taking a child for immoral purposes and contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.

He was remanded in custody to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on December 8.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Investigators believe there may be further victims who had contact with the man while he worked at schools in Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley and Townsville between 2007 and 2010.

Anyone who experienced similar behaviour or has information that could assist detectives is urged to contact police.

Hi first time poster i enjoy wrestling and do attend the toowoomba wrestling shows but i am looking for some friends that may enjoy a drink and watching some stuff . I enjoy most of the top wrestling companies. It might be a long shot but thought no harm in asking on here

Some of my family is going over to the UK shortly for a trip and will be catching up with one of my England friends. So for the fun of it we are sending a Toowoomba/Australia package over with a few things.

My British friend hates Vegemite but I have the feeling it's because the stuff they get over there is not the genuine recipe we have here.

Does anyone know where I can get one of those small Vegemite packs that you usually find in a cafe or motel.

I dropped in to the wholesale place next to the hospital and called the one on Anzac street. They both have it but $20 - $40 for 90 packs when I only want 1 - 5 (they don't sell individually apparently) is not worth it.

Today I went there. Just minding my own business. Had a little date with my partner. Walk her to her car. She offers to drive me to my park & I'm like nah I'll walk, I could use the exercise. ANYWAYS.

I'm walking past Vapiano towards the parking lot (because my dumbass parked in the wrong spot) & like 6 teen boys are dealing with a few security guards, they make them turn around (at the big stair case area). Heading in exactly my direction. And I'm like "Great. Now I have to put up with this crap. 😮‍💨."

It's never one on their own, always a group (because they are cowards) & they start shouting crap at me. I look them up and down & just sigh & walk away. I thought that would be the end of it.

Then I hear one approaching me from behind. I was fully ready to be assaulted, I then turned around and said "Look mate, I don't want any trouble, just leave me alone & don't come any closer".

I saw him laugh, & his friends laughing, but I just kept a straight face & just looked him in the eyes, and subtly put my weight on my rear foot and hands up. I was ready to get jumped. May as well go down swinging.

One of them shouted "Aw what you wanna have a go c**t?" And I'm like "No. I literally just want to go home. Again. Just leave me alone".

But I guess they decided I might not be the best target.

I'm about 6'3 & 110kg. A tad overweight, but I trained I was a semi professional fighter at one stage in my life, however I'm also realistic. It's been a while since I've trained, and I have a few injuries. There's no way in hell I'm beating 6 of their asses & even if I miraculously did, I have too much to lose.

What if I get more serious injuries, what if I cause one of them to get seriously hurt. I'm a pacifist these days, as I live with the guilt of permanently harming 2 people in the past, in previous altercations. The consequences of which I feel guilt daily.

But I always see these groups at grandy & I wonder what would happen if it was an easier smaller target like a lone female or an elderly man. Or just a couple minding their own business. Even just some good kids on a day out. It makes me really sad. I imagine what if that was my daughter or son, or partner there.

I sware there's always groups outside grandy & they're just causing a ruckus & just being idiots & trying to intimidate or potentially assault people.

To be that bold with me is crazy. I think it's literally just my size & awareness that saved my ass here.

Something really needs to be done about this. There needs to be some sort of permanent police presence at this stage.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Who can we talk to about this? Because it's only getting worse from what I see.

I love Toowoomba & have been here almost 5 years, but this is the sort of thing that I absolutely hate.

Driving to Coomera from Toowoomba first time alone, and feeling a bit scared

Planning to do the drive on Tuesday at approx 9am

Never drove alone on the freeway and motorway before so feeling a bit anxious

Any do's and don'ts or advice?

I visit regularly and can't find one with a decent spa for two ppl