What’s Happening?
Toowoomba Regional Council has approved its 2026 parking strategy for immediate finalisation, setting a coordinated direction across the region. Known as the Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy 2026, it will guide how Council manages parking into the future.
The strategy connects parking management with improved transport choices while supporting safe, efficient and sustainable parking as the region grows. It also extends Council’s planning beyond the city centre to consider parking needs throughout the whole Toowoomba region.
Why It Matters?
Parking management affects how easily people reach businesses, appointments, schools and community services. It can also influence congestion, road safety, accessibility, economic activity and the appeal of other transport options.
By considering these issues together, Council aims to provide consistent and customer-focused services across both on-street and off-street parking. The strategy also responds to changing driver behaviour and growing demand as Toowoomba continues to develop.
Local Impact
TRC Transport and Drainage Planning portfolio spokesperson Councillor Trevor Manteufel said parking supports many everyday activities across the community.
“Parking plays an important role in how people move around our Region, whether they are visiting a local business, attending an appointment, dropping children at school or accessing community services,” Cr Manteufel said.
Rather than focusing only on central Toowoomba, the strategy considers how parking serves residents, visitors and businesses throughout the region.
“This strategy looks at parking across the whole Region and gives Council a clear direction for supporting safety, accessibility, local businesses and community wellbeing.”
By The Numbers
- Three strategic objectives will guide the strategy. Ease of Use aims to provide higher-quality services and make parking simpler for residents and visitors. Safety seeks to help customers feel safer when using parking services across the region. Plan for Growth aims to retain the region’s uniqueness and liveability during its most significant growth.
- The strategy builds on the 2019 Toowoomba City Centre Car Parking Strategy. Its focus has now expanded to include parking needs across the whole region.
- Brisbane 2032 forms part of Council’s longer-term planning. The strategy considers how parking will support residents, businesses and visitors during the Olympic and Paralympic Games period.
Zoom In
At a service level, the strategy provides direction for managing on-street and off-street parking. It also considers demand, driver behaviour and the need for consistent services.
“The strategy sets out our approach to managing on-street and off-street parking, responding to changing driver behaviour, growth in demand and the need for consistent, customer-focused services. It also considers how parking can help reduce congestion, improve safety, support economic activity and encourage people to consider other transport options where practical.”
Zoom Out
The parking strategy sits alongside Council’s ongoing work through the Public Transport Levy to improve travel choices across the region. While the levy is helping progress future public transport improvements, the strategy addresses the management of parking.
Together, both programs allow Council to consider parking and public transport within a coordinated approach to regional movement. This becomes increasingly important as Toowoomba grows and prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
What To Look For Next?
Council will now finalise the strategy and begin using it to guide future parking decisions across the Toowoomba region. Cr Manteufel said its endorsement marked an important move from planning into delivery.
“We want parking to be practical and user-friendly, while also making sure Council manages its parking assets responsibly and sustainably,” he said. “As our Region grows and prepares for future opportunities, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s important we have a clear plan for how parking supports residents, businesses and visitors.”
