7 Toowoomba eyesores, vacant lots that deserve developments

Toowoomba has no shortage of ugly eyesores and vacant land that is ripe for redevelopment. Here are the best of them, suggested by you, and the latest on their progress.

They’re the sites either sporting abandoned buildings, garish white elephants or simply need to be redeveloped.

Toowoomba’s development boom has led to the demise of several eyesore properties, most notably the old Marco Polo Chinese restaurant in South Toowoomba.

While some have been redeveloped or removed, plenty remain — and they offer incredible development potential for the right investor.

Here is the latest on seven current and former Toowoomba eyesores, based on suggestions from readers.

1. NEWTOWN RUGBY LEAGUE GROUNDS

Address: 202 Hursley Road, Glenvale

Owner: Canyon (Aust) Pty Ltd

Status: Under development

Undoubtedly one of the ugliest on this list, the Newtown rugby league grounds hasn’t been used to host matches for more than 15 years.

It was previously owned by the Aspromourgos family before it was sold for more than $4m to Canyon (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Developer Glenvale Central lodged plans with the Toowoomba Regional Council in 2018 for a $65m masterplanned project at the site, which would include a tavern, bottle shop, childcare centre, service centre, motel and other shops.

While the plan was approved by council in 2019, the developer has requested extensions to operational works such as stormwater construction.

Glenvale Central has been contacted for comment recently.

Old Snap Fitness building on corner of James and West streets demolished. Picture: Nev Madsen.

2. SNAP FITNESS

Address: 187 West Street, Harristown

Owner: SPMA Alpha Pty Ltd

Status: Demolished, for lease

One of the most notable in recent years, the old Snap Fitness site had sat like a gaping wound along one of Toowoomba’s busiest streets after two fires were started in 2015.

But the long-term owners demolished the heavily damaged building earlier this year as it continued negotiations for a long-term tenant.

Colliers International managing director Dan Dwan said talks between the owner and potential businesses were still ongoing.

This land on the corner of Stenner and Ruthven Streets was purchased for $117,000 in 1985.

3. VACANT PARCEL

Address: 857 Ruthven Street, Kearneys Spring

Owner: Chi Ping Yuen

Status: Unknown

Of all the eyesores and undeveloped sites on the list, this two-hectare parcel on the corner of Ruthven and Stenner Streets is possibly the most baffling.

The land sits within a highly-developed area of Toowoomba, diagonal to the Toowoomba Plaza and opposite a KFC and Jetts gym on one side and a motel on the other.

Yet the land, which has been owned by the same investor for more than 30 years, currently hosts certain pieces of machinery and a few goats.

The property was briefly listed for sale in 2019 through LJ Hooker Toowoomba.

Colliers International managing director Dan Dwan said the property was considered a “medium-term” asset by the owners and was unlikely to be sold or developed in the near future.

4. GASWORKS SITE

Address: 1A Neil Street, Toowoomba City

Owner: Energex

Status: Under contract (again)

This might seem like a cop-out for a series on eyesores, because there hasn’t been a building on this site for nearly a decade.

But sheer size of the former Gasworks site on Neil Street is striking when compared with the rest of the CBD, which has been largely developed to this point.

After Energex demolished the old plant at the start of the previous decade, the site had been a subject of interest from a number of potential investors.

It went under contract in October last year but the deal fell through after discussions with the Toowoomba Regional Council, which had indicated a preference for a specific type of development.

It has since gone back under contract to a mystery Sydney developer.

Colliers International managing director Dan Dwan said it would be handed over to the new owner in a matter of weeks.

5. COUNCIL NURSERY

Address: 306 Ramsay Street, Middle Ridge

Owner: Toowoomba Regional Council

Status: To be sold

While it could be hard to call this an eyesore, the decommissioned council nursery in Middle Ridge is worth two hectares of quality land in the heart of Toowoomba.

The council has clearly shown an interest in putting its unused assets on the market, having listed its two Harristown depot sites for sale recently.

Environment and community chair Councillor James O’Shea said the council would list the property for sale soon.

“Prior to selling the property, council is considering whether it seeks expressions of interest from community groups for the green houses/hot houses that are currently on the site,” he said.

Developers like Rob Weymouth have already expressed interest in acquiring it.

6. WESTLAKE CHINESE RESTAURANT

Address: 127 Anzac Avenue, Newtown

Owner: Yuen family

Status: For lease

Owned by the same people who also hold the Stenner/Ruthven Street vacant block, this longstanding Chinese restaurant hit the market for lease in June.

Colliers International sales associate Rebecca Steinmuller said the site could become a drive-through eatery or service station, depending on the right tenant.

Colliers managing director Dan Dwan said the agency was confident in securing a new tenant soon.

“There are some discussions with some probable tenants happening now, which should come to a finality in the short term,” he said.

Ni Hao Chinese Resaurant in Toowoomba.

7. NI HAO CHINESE RESTAURANT

Address: 92 Ruthven Street, Harlaxton

Owner: Morrison family, Nerissa Raddatz

Status: For lease

The most unusual aspect about this property is the land available is not confined to the Chinese restaurant, which shut down several months ago.

The 2400 sqm property is L-shaped, with the restaurant currently for lease privately.

Colliers International managing director Dan Dwan said while the site always attracted plenty of interest, there were a number of issues with it being redeveloped.

“The owners have a vision for that site, there have been discussions about them developing that site themselves,” he said.

“It’s a prime site, but it’s probably in the same category (as the Stenner Street block).

“It will happen, but there is little urgency to develop that site right now.”

Originally published as 7 Toowoomba eyesores, vacant lots that deserve developments