After years of community advocacy, Toowoomba Regional Council’s draft Planning Scheme —is understood to include important new tree and habitat protections — is expected to be referred to Queensland Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie in October.

This is an important point in the process. State Government intervention has previously resulted in locally agreed tree and biodiversity protections being wound back in both Ipswich and Gympie and Protect Trees Toowoomba does not want to see the same happen here.

But protecting trees isn’t only about planning provisions. People are more likely to stand up for the places they know, value and feel connected to.

That’s why Protect Trees Toowoomba is holding a Tall Trees Celebration Picnic at Peacehaven Park — a chance to come together beneath some of the trees that make Highfields and the wider Toowoomba Region so special.

Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie and our local State MPs — Trevor Watts, David Janetzki, Pat Weir and Deb Frecklington — are being formally invited to join the community, experience the park and hear directly why local tree protections matter.

Scot McPhie, Birdlife Australia’s Birds on Farms Project Coordinator Lockyer‑Toowoomba will be speaking along with our growing panel of guests.

Whether our elected representatives attend or not, a strong community turnout will send an important message.

🌳 Bring a picnic rug
🧺 Pack some afternoon tea
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the family
💚 Come and celebrate the trees we want future generations to enjoy