Toowoomba New England bypass corridor concerns raised by Trevor Watts, mayor Paul Antonio

Work is progressing on a new bypass for Toowoomba, but community leaders have expressed concern about the lack of consultation over the project.

Mayor Paul Antonio; Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts.

Toowoomba’s political leaders have called on the state government to consult more with residents over the future New England Highway bypass, the corridor for which could set in stone the city’s urban footprint.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is currently developing the path for the massive bypass, which at this stage will allow vehicles to circumvent Highfields and Toowoomba.

Mapping obtained by NewsCorp indicates the New England Highway would divert at Geham before cutting north of Highfields through to Gowrie Junction, before running through Charlton, Wellcamp and Westbrook and rejoining the existing route south of Vale View.

Aerial view of Gowrie Junction from McMahon Park looking east towards Toowoomba, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The current corridor would run parallel to the current Toowoomba Bypass and run through large chunks of land slated for future residential development.

These include the approved housing estate at Gainsborough Lodge in Torrington and the masterplanned Fernleigh estate at Westbrook.

It is anticipated the bypass would not be actioned for several years or even decades.

The department has confirmed it is meeting with key stakeholders, including the Toowoomba Regional Council and it is understood findings will be reported to Transport Minister Mark Bailey within months.

“We are currently in the early planning and community consultation stages of the project, which would protect a future state transport corridor west of Toowoomba,” a spokesman said.

“Consultation is ongoing and feedback will be considered as part of our planning for the corridor, which will also inform future delivery stages.

“The need for transport infrastructure in this corridor may not be realised for many years.”

Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts.

But Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said he was concerned not enough of the community were being consulted on the project, which is likely to be changed based on feedback from stakeholders.

“We definitely need a new New England Highway route, but where should that corridor go, and should we have a wider discussion about it?” he said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get some decent connectivity, but the question is where should it go, and which parts of the community have been consulted so far?

“If you ask me, all parts of the community should be consulted.”

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio prepares to speak to media after handing down a $651m budget, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mayor Paul Antonio also voiced concerns about the corridor based on information he had received, but stressed the matter was for council officers.

“It’s an operational matter and ultimately our senior staff will bring back a report to councillors about where we are at,” he said.

“There were some real concerns about the direction of that corridor and we look forward to seeing (potential changes).

“It was going through an area that will be heavily populated one day.”

A recent (but not final) map of corridor for new New England Highway bypass around Highfields and Toowoomba, not commissioned by Transport and Main Roads.

The department was contacted for up-to-date mapping for the current corridor, with a spokesman saying it would be released later this year.

“TMR has not released any maps of the proposed corridor to date,” he said.

“However, we are aware that maps that have not been created by TMR are being circulated in the community.

“A wide range of stakeholders from elected members, government officers, industry groups and interest groups have been consulted and feedback received on the transport infrastructure and community needs has informed the planning for the proposed transport corridor.

“This proposed transport corridor, including a TMR-created map, will be able to be viewed on the TMR website as part of our wider community engagement for the project during 2023.”