2015-16 Annual Report 2015-16 Annual Report | Page 61

• Various amendments to the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme were finalised in 2015-16 to ensure the scheme is relevant and current agricultural, natural and cultural heritage values for the community and developers. • The branch also delivered a draft local infrastructure plan in 2015-16 to manage and determine the type, scale, timing and location of infrastructure to accommodate growth across the Toowoomba Region. This draft plan also stipulates what infrastructure charges need to be recovered from developers This branch is also responsible for the City Centre Master Plan, urban design projects, business and community group start-ups, economic activity promotion and promoting the region to new residents, businesses and investors, as well as promoting our sister city relationships with Takatsuki City in Japan, Paju City in Korea and Whanganui in New Zealand. In 2015-16, the International Secretariat within SPED also worked to identify and build future relationships in China.  The SPED branch co-ordinates Council submissions on planning and environmental legislation, as well as developing guidelines and providing advice on 61 TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL Annual Report 2015 - 2016 Our organisation CHAPTER 3 61