Council approves new bed and breakfast, community space built out of old school building

THE Toowoomba Regional Council has approved a plan to turn an old school building into a bed and breakfast and community space.

One of the buildings to be used by community groups as part of a new development application approved by the council at Cooyar.

THE Toowoomba Regional Council has approved a plan to turn an old school building into a bed and breakfast and community space.

Applicant Jenelle Hurley was given the green light to create the space out of several old buildings on Oakey-Cooyar Rd at Evergreen, north-west of Toowoomba.

According to the assessment report by planning officer Shokhida Safarova, the site featured an old school building, amenities block, tennis court, water tower, historical kitchen hut and former school house.

“The proposed use will use the ‘old’ school building structure with a gross floor area of 176 sqm, and the hut,” the report said.

“The proposed use would facilitate … artistic, social and cultural classes and workshops, historical display for tourist visitors (and) a permaculture gardening experience.

“The existing (school house) will be used as bed and breakfast accommodation for a maximum of six visitors, which is an accepted development subject to requirements of the rural zone code.

“The proposed development would provide activities for a maximum of 20 visitors at any one time.

“Proposed hours of operation for all activities are from 9am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday and for classes/workshops from 9am to 9pm, Tuesday to Friday.”

The application included a response from the State Assessment and Referral Agency, which stated it was happy with the outcomes of the plan.

The council attached more than 50 conditions to the proposal.

Originally published as Council approves new bed and breakfast, community space built out of old school building