The Toowoomba Regional Council actively works towards strengthening its economic development profile and promoting the region to potential residents, business enterprises and investors.  Economic growth will result in a more diverse economy, improved services, greater employment prospects and a more liveable community.

The Council actively works with the State Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI),  business and industrial community and progress associations to strengthen existing commercial networks and to develop new ones.  Council also takes a leading role in working with Federal and State Departments and agencies along with the private sector, in the provision of critical infrastructure such as: road; rail; industrial land; air services; skills; and ICT services.

The Region
The Toowoomba Regional Council covers an area of around 13,000 sq km with a population of over 155,124 with an annual growth of 1.8%.  The region supports the junctions of major highways from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Darwin and Brisbane (the State’s Capital), which is just a 90 minute drive away.  The region’s major enterprises include: manufacturing; health; retail; community services; agriculture; and education.  

Outlook
The State Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, through the Centres of Enterprise initiative, has identified the two prime sectors of regional growth as energy, through the Surat Energy province, and food processing.  The Darling Downs and South West region, with assets such as coal, coal seam gas, coal seam gas water, ethanol and power station development has the potential to more than triple the gross regional product and create more than 16,000 new jobs in the region over the next 22 years.  The other areas of opportunity for the region include fibre composite advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and aviation/defence. 

Services
The Economic Development Branch maintains a (Sensis-based) Business Directory of all regional enterprises and a regional Economic Brief (produced annually).  It also maintains more detailed industry briefs, along with trends and opportunities.  The branch provides the following services:

• Introduction to the business environment and community;
• Key industry/infrastructure developments;
• Site search, including zoning (land and property), with financial bench-marking;
• Supply chain assistance, be it suppliers or service agencies; and
• Settlement assistance for migrants.

Contacts
For assistance from Council, please contact:

• The Manager of the Economic Development Branch: 07 4688 6880

Or the District Manager in the relevant District Service Centre:

• Clifton: 07 4697 4222
• Crows Nest: 07 4698 1155
• Goombungee: 07 4696 7900
• Greenmount: 07 4697 0200
• Highfields: 07 4630 8925
• Millmerran: 07 4695 1399
• Oakey: 07 4691 1388
• Pittsworth: 07 4619 8000

Our Partners
Council works with various partners to maximise the potential of all enquiries and to avoid service duplication (links open in a new window).

• The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) brings together in one place a focus on employment growth through the key economic drivers of mining and energy, primary industries and fisheries, tourism, employment and regional development and trade.  The department works in partnership with business to foster economic growth, job creation and the capture of export earnings.  The department reports to the Treasurer and Minister for Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.   The department also reports to the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines Energy and Trade, the Minister Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Development and the Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading.  The Department includes:
  • the former Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry including;
       • Industry development; 
       • Business development;
       • Regional development;
       • Science and technology;
       • Invest Queensland;
       • Create it, Make it, Live it; and
       • Work Live Play;
  • the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation from Queensland Treasury;
  • the parts of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations that relate to Employment and Indigenous Initiatives;
  • the part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General responsible for Fair Trading;
  • Trade Queensland from the Department of Transport;
  • the former Department of Mines and Energy; and
  • the former Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
• Local Chambers of Commerce. Local associations of business owners who meet regularly to discuss common issues, concerns and opportunities within their own forums.
  • Toowoomba
  • Oakey (Please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
  • Millmerran
  • Highfields
  • Crows Nest & District Tourist Progress Association
• The Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIQ) is a non-Government organisation, that delivers a broad range of services and representing business interests to government at all levels. CCIQ provides advice and hands-on assistance in a broad range of business management areas, including workplace and industrial relations, staff development and training, workplace health and safety, environmental management and international business facilitation and documentation.
• Austrade located at the Downs Business Centre, 4 Little St.  Austrade provides services include helping to identify international partners, providing tailored industry intelligence and support in visiting potential buyers, and assistance with foreign regulations and business practices. 
• Department of Primary Industries DPI specialise in business development and market expansion for agricultural enterprises. 
• The Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) strives as a key priority to encourage the sustainable growth of Australian industries by developing a national innovation system that drives knowledge creation, cutting edge science and research, international competitiveness and greater productivity.  The Department is committed to developing policies and delivering programs, in partnership with stakeholders, to provide lasting economic benefits ensuring Australia's competitive future.  The Department is structured into a number of divisions: AusIndustry; Industry and Small Business Policy Division; Innovation Division; Enterprise Connect Division; Manufacturing Division; Science and Research Division; eBusiness Division; Corporate Division; the National Measurement Institute and Questacon. The portfolio comprises:
  • the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research;
  • IP Australia;
  • the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO);
  • the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS);
  • the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS);
  • the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO);
  • the Australian Research Council (ARC); and
  • the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
• The Area Consultative Committee The ACC closed on 30th June 2009 and is to be replaced by Regional Development Australia in September 2009.
• Regional Development Australia (RDA) The RDA’s aim is to bring together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia. There are four key functions that underpin the role of the national network of RDA committees; provide advice on consultation and community engagement; regional planning; promoting whole-of-Government programs, policies and initiatives; and community and economic development.
• The Australian Institute of Management (AIM) is Australia's largest professional body for managers; and its mission is to grow management and leadership excellence by supporting, developing, promoting and practising the profession of management at all levels.  The Institute is best known as Australia's largest private provider of management training and consultancy services.
• The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is Australia's membership institute for directors. It is dedicated to making a positive impact on the economy and society by promoting professional directorship and good governance.  AICD delivers knowledge and continuing learning in the field of directorship; enriches the capabilities of members with information, services, events and networks; influences the corporate governance environment in Australia and promotes understanding of and respect for the role of directors. 
• The Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is focused on contributing to strong employment growth, increased workforce participation and the improved productive performance of enterprises in Australia.  The Department uses current and emerging technologies to improve customer service and to help connect people to jobs and promote the transition from welfare to work.  DEEWR provides access to online services and information, guides to employment information, government assistance, jobs, careers, training, working conditions and Indigenous Employment Centres with direct access to JobSearch, Careers and VolunteerSearch.
• The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) is Australia's leading industry association representing employers in varying size businesses in areas such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, telecommunications, IT & call centres, transport and labour hire. AIG provide comprehensive advice and assistance to help members run their businesses more effectively and to become more competitive on a domestic and international level: particularly in workplace relations, OHS and workers’ compensation, EEO and discrimination, trade and export development and environment and energy. 
• The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA - Queensland) is a not-for-profit industry body dedicated to representation of Queensland's development industry. UDIA's main purpose is to advance the credibility and integrity of the urban development industry. Special UDIA programs provide greater rates of sustainable development and encourage professionalism and innovation within the industry.
• The CBD Taskforce is a voluntary organisation of CBD property owners and traders whose interest is the development, operations and planning issues associated with Toowoomba’s CBD.