Toowoomba Regional Council has granted preliminary approval for a new school at Westbrook

The push for a new school west of Toowoomba has reached a critical milestone.

FILE PHOTO: Generic image of school student and mother.

The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba has secured a preliminary approval that will pave the way for the establishment of a new school west of the city.

Toowoomba Regional Council yesterday approved the diocese’s development application, which was seeking a preliminary approval for an educational establishment and the reconfiguring of two lots at 106 Boundary St, Westbrook.

The approval does not however mean that a school could immediately be constructed on the site.

The preliminary approval is effectively “a formal acknowledgment of in-principle support for the proposed … (school) at this location”.

A concept master plan submitted to the council shows buildings with a floor area of approximately 12,000 sq m and 2800 sq m of covered walkways.

It is anticipated the school will be delivered in three stages, though that is a very early estimate and subject to projected growth in the school’s catchment area and resident demand.

The masterplan of a proposed Catholic school at Westbrook, lodged with TRC in mid-2020.

The diocese currently intends the school to begin operation in 2024, with the final stage completed by 2036.

Ultimately, the school will accommodate 862 students and 79 staff.

A further development application for the project will need to be lodged for the development down the track.