De-amalgamation back on the agenda
Planning is underway to establish a case in favour of creating a new council for rural areas to the south and west of Toowoomba. It's the second serious attempt to separate a large slice of the Region's rural sector from the growing urban area of Toowoomba and surrounds.
Recalling golden memories
Over 53 years ago in 1972, 150 students came together on their first day as the inaugural cohort of students for the Diploma in Teaching (Primary) in the School of Education at the newly formed Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE), now the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).
Police operation cracking down on crime
Queensland Police's Operation Marshall kicked off on July 1 and on the Darling Downs, the first two weeks have resulted in 187 charges against 88 juveniles and 35 charges against 15 adults. Across the state, there have been 393 charges laid against 250 offenders, including 76 charges against 48 juveniles.
New renewables law
Legislation came into effect last week which aims to empower communities on renewable energy projects. The Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, introduces significant reforms that strengthen social licence requirements for renewable energy projects and consistent development assessment rules across the state.
Good news for Council’s coffers
Toowoomba Regional Council's financial woes as of late have been softened with the announcement of an interim $4 million surplus for the 2024/25 financial year. At last week's Ordinary Meeting of Council, Councillors endorsed the interim full year result which turned a revised $5.7 million budgeted deficit into an interim $4 million surplus.
130 years of Downs Polo Club
Jessica Rea. In 2025 The Downs Polo Club celebrates 130 years of polo on the Darling Downs. One of the oldest polo clubs in Australia finds its home in Clifton, keeping a tight grip on its rural roots whilst producing some of Australia's great polo players and ponies.
Zoo thankful for community support
In the wake of the tragic incident that saw a woman lose her arm from a lion attack the weekend before last, Darling Downs Zoo owner Steve Robinson has been overwhelmed by local community support ... Mr Robinson told On Our Selection News his sister-in-law Stephanie, a teacher from New South Wales, is a regular visitor to the zoo, visiting during the school holidays over the past 20 years for a total of over 80 visits.
An Australian trailblazer
Having only started competing in working equitation in 2023, Tamara Patch from East Greenmount has done remarkably well to qualify for next year's world championships in Spain. This will be the first time an Australian has competed in the sport's top competition.
