Toowoomba Regional Council's $200 Million Local Spend Boosts Business Community

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has reinvested nearly $200 million into the local economy over the 2024/25 financial year, delivering significant benefits to businesses across the region.

According to recent figures, TRC spent $194.3 million with local suppliers throughout the year - a result Council credits to a long-term commitment to prioritising local procurement.

TRC Finance Portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Tim McMahon, said the strategy was paying off.

"Council made a conscious decision several years ago to give greater priority to local suppliers in our procurement processes, and the outcomes speak for themselves," Cr McMahon said.

"Supporting nearly $200 million of local spending is a powerful way to strengthen our economy, particularly for the many small and medium-sized businesses that employ locals and keep money circulating within our community."

TRC has set an ambitious target of achieving 60 percent of its procurement with local Toowoomba Region businesses. In June 2025, Council surpassed this goal, with 64 percent of spending going to local suppliers. Across the full financial year, the figure reached 57 percent - just shy of the target but still a strong performance.

"We're also proud of our commitment to fast payment turnaround," Cr McMahon added. "Our policy is to pay local suppliers within 14 days of receiving an invoice, and we're currently hitting that mark 76 percent of the time. This helps keep cash flowing for local businesses, allowing them to operate with confidence."

Cr McMahon said the level of investment showed the practical steps Council was taking to support local enterprise.

"The fact we spent close to $200 million with local suppliers last year is a fantastic achievement, and I'm proud to see Council continuing to back our business community in meaningful ways."

The initiative complements TRC's broader 'Every Time You...' campaign, which highlights the many ways residents benefit from Council services and infrastructure in their daily lives - often without realising it.