Established in 2008, the LGA was preceded by several other local government authorities with histories extending back to the early 1900s and beyond.

[5] The Toowoomba Region also encompassed four of Queensland's 74 divisions created under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 on 11 November 1879: Clifton, Highfields, Jondaryan and Rosalie.

Between 1913 and 1917, a number of changes occurred: the Millmerran and Pittsworth areas voted to split from Jondaryan on 24 April 1913, whilst in the same year Crows Nest became a shire, and in 1914, Cambooya followed.

In July 2007, the Local Government Reform Commission released its report and recommended that the eight areas amalgamate.

Additionally, environmental and natural resource challenges could, in the Commission's view, be better met by an organisation with "a scale and capacity to undertake... management across the region in an integrated manner."

Economic growth potential in the region has been identified through retail, construction and the development of energy resources found in the Surat Basin and in food processing.