Homes and Trees: Planning a Liveable Toowoomba Region

Name: Homes and Trees: Planning a Liveable Toowoomba Region
Start: 2026-03-04T07:30:00+10:00
Location: Laurel Bank Park Hall, Herries St Toowoomba

Schedule

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026 at 07:30 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Laurel Bank Park Hall, Herries St Toowoomba | Toowoomba, QL

Toowoomba is growing. The Planning Scheme is being reviewed. We need more housing — but we also need to protect the trees, habitat and neighbourhood character that make our region liveable.
Right now, the Toowoomba Regional Council is the only local government area in South East Queensland without specific tree protections in its planning framework. As housing pressures increase, this gap matters.
How do we deliver housing affordability and supply while also safeguarding urban canopy, biodiversity and community wellbeing?
Protect Trees Toowoomba and the Darling Downs Environment Council invite you to a community forum bringing together industry, local government and housing advocates to discuss practical pathways forward.
Housing & Nature: A Community Forum
Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Laurel Bank Hall, Laurel Bank Park, Newtown
Speakers include:
Dr Rebecca Vonhoff, Deputy Mayor, Toowoomba Regional Council
Stephen Bowers, Developer
Lauren Russell, Tiny House Advocate
Julie Saunders, CEO, Community Housing Industry Association Queensland
Fiona Cangiglia, CEO, QShelter
This is an opportunity to move beyond false choices. Other councils across South East Queensland have introduced planning mechanisms that both increase housing diversity and protect significant trees.

What can Toowoomba learn? What should the new Planning Scheme include?

We’ll explore:
How tree protections can coexist with increased housing supply
Medium-density and diverse housing models that reduce sprawl
The role of community housing providers
Practical reforms Council and State Government can implement now
This forum is about constructive solutions. If you care about housing affordability, urban canopy, biodiversity, or the future character of Toowoomba — your voice matters.