2026-2031 Corporate Plan and 2026/27 Budget Engagement

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Southern Downs Regional Council invites you to have your say on the future strategic direction for our region.

We have a beautiful region, a passionate community and a bright future. In preparation for the 2026–2031 Corporate Plan, in late 2025 Southern Downs Regional Council invited the views of the local community to hear what you love about our region and what’s most important to you.

To make sure we truly captured the hopes and aspirations of our region, Council carried out an extensive community engagement program in late 2025 and early 2026. This included a region-wide survey and opportunities for community members across our towns and villages to tell us what mattered most to them. Head to https://haveyoursay.sdrc.qld.gov.au/corporateplan to see what we heard.

Council is now preparing a draft 2026–2031 Corporate Plan, along with the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget. Together, these documents set out where we’re heading, what we’ll focus on, and how we’ll invest in our community over the coming years.

They’ve been shaped by what you told us matters most. Now it’s time to check back in and make sure we’ve got it right.

About the 2026-2031 Corporate Plan and 2026/27 Operational Plan & Budget

Thriving Places, Open Spaces, Happy Faces

This vision reflects the unique mix of towns and villages across our region, our strong local character, and the importance our community places in protecting the landscapes we value, while supporting thoughtful, sustainable growth.

It captures the balance between growing our region and preserving what makes it special. Just as importantly, it reflects what our community has told us matters most, and provides a clear foundation to guide long-term planning, communication and investment decisions.

What are these plans and why do they matter?

How it all fits together

Think of it like this:

• Corporate Plan: where we’re going
• Operational Plan: what we’re doing this year to get there
• Budget: how we pay for it

Together, they ensure Council is planning responsibly, delivering what matters, and investing in the future of the Southern Downs.

Community Information Pop-ups

Council will be out and about across the region to help the community understand what’s proposed in the drafts and what they mean for the Southern Downs.

View the Proposed 2026-2031 Corporate Plan and 2026-2027 Operational Plan & Budget

Corporate Plan, Operational Plan and Budget:

• Click here to download the 2026-2031 Corporate Plan and 2026/27 Operation Plan and Budget Summary

Other helpful resources:

• Click here to download the 2026/27 Budget Factsheets

Have Your Say – Complete the Survey or Make a Submission

Council will be accepting feedback on the 2026-2031 Corporate Plan and 2026/27 Budget separately. Feedback for both documents will be accepted from Monday 20 April 2026 to Friday 1 May 2026. Please see each process below:

(1) 2026-2031 Corporate Plan

Complete the Online Survey:

		Hardcopy:

(1) Click here to download a hardcopy 2026-2031 Corporate Plan Survey, OR, collect a printed version from one of Council’s Administration Buildings.

(2) Fill out and lodge your survey by either:

1. Email to: budget@sdrc.qld.gov.au
2. Return to: a Council Administration Building.
3. Post to: Southern Downs Budget / Corporate Plan, PO Box 26, Warwick QLD 4370.

(2) 2026-2027 Operational Plan and Budget

Complete the Online Submission Form:

		Hardcopy:

(1) Click here to download a hardcopy 2026/27 Budget Submission Form, OR, collect a printed version from one of Council’s Administration Buildings.

(2) Fill out and lodge your submission form by either:

1. Email to: budget@sdrc.qld.gov.au
2. Return to: a Council Administration Building.
3. Post to: Southern Downs Budget / Corporate Plan, PO Box 26, Warwick QLD 4370.

Remember, for your submission on the 2026/27 Budget to be considered, it needs to:

• be made to Southern Downs Regional Council;
• state your name and residential address;
• if not made electronically, be signed in hard copy by each person making the submission;
• clearly state the specific aspects or items of the budget your submission relates to;
• provide your postal address or email address to ensure Council can contact you in writing; and
• be received by Council on or before midnight on Friday 1 May 2026.

What Happens Next?

Once submissions close, we will review and consider all feedback received and any relevant amendments that would be made to the final 2026-2031 Corporate Plan and FY27 Budget, ahead of adoption in mid-2026.

For More Information – Contact Council

For more information on the 2026-2031 Corporate Plan and 2026/27 Operation Plan & Budget, contact Southern Downs Regional Council:

	1300 697 372 (8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday to Friday)
	budget@sdrc.qld.gov.au
	Southern Downs Budget / Corporate Plan - PO Box 26 Warwick QLD 4370