Toowoomba Region facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toowoomba Region Queensland
Location within Queensland
Population	167,657 (2018)
• Density	12.9395/km2 (33.513/sq mi)
Established	2008
Area	12,957 km2 (5,002.7 sq mi)
Mayor	Paul Antonio
Council seat	Toowoomba
Region	Darling Downs
State electorate(s)	Toowoomba North Toowoomba South Condamine Nanango Southern Downs
Federal Division(s)	Groom Maranoa
Website	Toowoomba Region
LGAs around Toowoomba Region: Western Downs South Burnett Somerset Western Downs Toowoomba Region Lockyer Valley Goondiwindi Southern Downs Lockyer Valley

The Toowoomba Region is a special area in Queensland, Australia. It's managed by a local government, which helps run services for the people living there. This region was created in 2008. Before that, it was made up of several smaller local government areas. In 2018-2019, the region had a budget of about A$491 million. A big part of this money, A$316 million, was used for services like roads and parks. The rest, A$175.13 million, was for building new things and improving existing ones.

History of the Toowoomba Region

Before 2008, the Toowoomba Region was actually eight different local government areas. These areas had been around since the early 1900s or even earlier.

• the City of Toowoomba;
• the Shire of Cambooya;
• the Shire of Clifton;
• the Shire of Crows Nest;
• the Shire of Jondaryan;
• the Shire of Millmerran;
• the Shire of Pittsworth;
• and the Shire of Rosalie.

How Toowoomba City Started

The City of Toowoomba began as the Toowoomba Municipality. This was officially announced on November 24, 1860. It followed a law from New South Wales, which Queensland used when it became a separate colony in 1859. William Henry Groom was elected as its first mayor. He is sometimes called the "father of Toowoomba."

In 1878, Toowoomba gained more control over its own affairs. Then, in 1903, it became a town council. Finally, on October 29, 1904, Toowoomba was officially named a City.

Changes in the Surrounding Areas

The Toowoomba Region also includes areas that were once four of Queensland's 74 "divisions." These divisions were created in 1879. They were Clifton, Highfields, Jondaryan, and Rosalie. In 1903, these divisions became "Shires."

Between 1913 and 1917, more changes happened. Millmerran and Pittsworth areas decided to split from Jondaryan in 1913. In the same year, Crows Nest became a shire, and Cambooya followed in 1914. Later, in 1949, Highfields and Drayton were removed. Their land was given to Crows Nest and Toowoomba.

Why the Regions Joined Together

In 2007, a special group looked at how local governments were set up. They suggested that the eight areas around Toowoomba should join together. Their main reason was that the region was growing quickly. A new, bigger organization could speak up for the whole region.

Also, Toowoomba's suburbs had grown far beyond the old city limits. A new, larger group could manage the entire area with one plan. The group also thought that environmental challenges could be handled better by a bigger organization. Some of the smaller councils were not doing well financially.

Even though not all councils fully agreed, most were open to joining up. So, on March 15, 2008, the old City and Shires officially ended. On the same day, elections were held to choose new councillors and a mayor for the new Regional Council.

Toowoomba Regional Council

The Toowoomba Regional Council is in charge of the region. It has 10 councillors and a mayor who are elected by the people. These councillors are not officially supported by political parties. However, they must tell everyone if they belong to any political parties or other groups.

Mayors of Toowoomba Region

Here are the mayors who have led the Toowoomba Region since it was formed:

• 2008: Peter Taylor
• 2012: Paul Antonio
• 2016: Paul Antonio
• 2020: Paul Antonio

Towns and Localities in the Region

The Toowoomba Region includes many different towns and smaller areas. These are grouped below.

Toowoomba Suburbs

Close Regional Localities

These are smaller areas located close to the main Toowoomba city.

¹ - shared with the former Shire of Crows Nest ² - shared with the former Shire of Jondaryan ³ - shared with the former Shire of Cambooya ⁴ - shared with Lockyer Region

Regional Localities

These are other towns and areas further out in the Toowoomba Region.

Economy of the Toowoomba Region

The Toowoomba Region has many chances for economic growth. This includes retail (shops), construction (building), and using energy resources from the Surat Basin. Food processing is also a big part of the economy.

With the new Wellcamp Airport and the Second Range Crossing, plus the planned Inland Rail, Toowoomba is becoming a major transport hub. It's set to be one of the biggest logistics centers in Australia, like a large inland port.

Population Growth

The table below shows how the population of the Toowoomba Region has changed over time. Before 2008, the numbers are for the separate areas that later joined together. The 2011 census was the first time the population was counted for the new, combined region.

Toowoomba Regional Library Services

The Toowoomba Regional Council runs several libraries across the region. These libraries offer many services for everyone.

• Toowoomba City Library
• Toowoomba Local History Library (for learning about the past)
• Cecil Plains Library
• Clifton Library
• Crows Nest Library (also called the John French Library)
• Goombungee Library
• Highfields Library
• Millmerran Library
• Oakey Library
• Pittsworth Library
• Quinalow Library
• Yarraman Library

There is also a mobile library! This library on wheels visits smaller communities like Bowenville, Cambooya, Cooyar, Gowrie Junction, Greenmount, Haden, Jondaryan, Kingsthorpe, Kulpi, Meringandan West, Mount Tyson, Westbrook, and Wyreema.

The Toowoomba Regional Libraries offer many helpful services. These include free computer and internet access, free computer classes to help you learn, and a Homebound Library Service. This service delivers books to people who can't easily visit the library themselves.