You’ve told us a lot…

In the last six months our Have Your Say page has been visited 866 times and 163 people have taken the time to post feedback and respond through the surveys.

So what are some of the things you have you told us?

• That you want regular Councillor visits to the smaller regional towns

• More activations of local parks with free or low-cost activities

• The development of a five-year community plan to help drive direction for the smaller communities

• More events aimed at youth and seniors

• Carnival of Flowers activities to be brought out to the regions

We do listen to what you say so here are the changes…

• Councillors will be visiting the region on the third Friday of every month, as well as conducting monthly Pop Ups at one of the community events around the region. To check when they will be coming to your community next contact your Community Liaison Officer.

• Council works in partnership with a number of fitness providers through The CHANGE Project to deliver free and low-cost regular activities such as fitness classes in parks across the region (click here to see the range of current activities available). Under our Active Parks initiative, in return for delivering a free or $3 class as part of their activity schedule, fitness providers receive promotional support and free park hire. We are always on the lookout for more providers, so if you know a fitness provider who may be interested in partnering with us please contact Council on 131 872 or email change@tr.qld.gov.au. You can also contact us to be kept up-to-date about new and upcoming free and low-cost healthy living services by joining our monthly CHANGE Project e-newsletter. You may also wish to check out a new THRIVE Project to see a range of new free and low-cost fitness and outdoor recreation activities now on offer for women and girls across the region! Visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/thrive for activity details.

• Council has been supporting the communities of Yarraman, Crows Nest and Clifton to develop a five-year community plan. A Community Growth Action Plan has also been developed in Oakey and Pittsworth to guide their focus over the next 12 months. Millmerran is currently considering the best way to review its economic strategy. Toowoomba Regional Council’s Community Plan can be found at http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/about-council/council-governance/plans-strategy-reports/3092-community-plan

• In 2016/17, 3131 people attended 46 senior programs across the region. In 2017/2018 regional seniors programs have and are being delivered including concerts, seed to feed workshops with Brian Sams, and bingo sessions. Each program and project is evaluated and feedback considered for new seniors’ programming so if you have something in mind let us know!

• The Carnival of Flowers team has been working to further involve regional areas over recent years and participation continues to grow. Toowoomba Regional Council is a major sponsor of The Chronicle Garden Competition which continues to attract individual visitation and buses to entrants’ gardens throughout the region, including country gardens. The Community Liaison Officers have been working to engage with regional communities to encourage them to enter floats in the Grand Central Floral Parade. This is also an excellent way to promote visits to regional centres. Train rides and entertainment continues at Spring Bluff. Coach operators conduct dedicated ”Country Gardens” tours to visit regional gardens. In addition, there are community-run events in regional areas such as the Geham Garden and Craft Show and Jondaryan Woolshed Open Day in conjunction with the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Harrow House near Cambooya is open during Carnival and Paddock to Pottager on-farm tours continue again this year.

We know there is still a lot to be done…

Which is why we want to hear from you. Let’s keep talking. Have your say at http://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/ourfuture or be sure to catch up with the Councillors and Community Liaison Officers at the next regional visit or Councillor Pop Up. As always though, support is only a phone call away, contact Council on 131 872.