Former Toowoomba Region Councillor and Pittsworth Shire Mayor Ros Scotney OAM has expressed her disappointment at the direction things have taken since the amalgamation of eight local governments on the Darling Downs created Toowoomba Regional Council.

Ms Scotney is part of the committee agitating for change.

The group, comprising former local government councillors and a number of notable dignitaries from across the Region, wants to see a new shire created.

Ms Scotney said the group has to keep on top of its campaign.

“In 2008 when amalgamation was upon us we were assured by the then Premier Peter Beattie after hearing his speech in Brisbane that nothing would change as far as Budget allocations and support for each Shire,” she said.

“Also any funds Councils had in Reserves, that money would stay in each community and be spent there – this did not happen.

“As the years move on, 17 now, the general feel in the rural communities is that there is a deterioration in services and the focus seems to gravitate towards Toowoomba and Highfields.

“The latest rates increase certainly does not reflect the amount of money spent in the rural communities.

“This is lessening each year.”

Ms Scotney said her conversations with residents reveal that they are disillusioned with the bureaucracy.

“….It appears it is now ruling Council in its decision making,” she said.

“There are constant comments from residents of reduced services along with the fact it is becoming more difficult to do business with Council, again bureaucracy setting the rules.”

She said talking to the majority of outside staff of the Regional Council and their frustration and disappointment at how things are being run and the waste of time and money is evident.

“It breaks my heart and I know Anne [Glasheen, former Clifton Shire Deputy Mayor] and Paul [Antonio, former Millmerran Shire Mayor] share the same feelings and we do worry where we are heading,” Ms Scotney said.

The committee looking to have the new shire created is still working on specific boundary proposals but envisages it would take in the entire areas covered by the former Clifton, Pittsworth and Millmerran shire councils as well as rural parts of the former Cambooya and Jondaryan shires.

Parts of the former Cambooya Shire could include the likes of Greenmount, East Greenmount, Ramsay and Felton.

It appears unlikely that any sectors of the former Rosalie and Crows Nest shires would be included.

The group is planning to conduct public meetings across the area being proposed for the new rural-based shire council.

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 18 September 2025.