Council reveals what happened after it resolved to purchase Mount Lofty site in 2013
In 2013, a meeting of the Toowoomba Regional Council’s Environment and Community Committee agreed to purchase the Mount Lofty Rifle Range site. Here’s what happened next.
Council
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Defence Housing Australia’s proposed housing estate at Mount Lofty was one of the more contentious developments to come before Toowoomba Regional Council in recent times.
But the controversy over the development might never have occurred if a 2012 proposal from TRC went ahead.
According to letters and documents obtained by Save Mount Lofty, TRC in November 2012 indicated to the Defence Department it was interested in acquiring the 379ha Mount Lofty Rifle Range under priority sale arrangements.
Minutes from a council committee meeting on May 15, 2013, show the council agreed to proceed with the purchase of the property, subject to the approval of the Federal Minister for Department of Finance and Deregulation.
TRC parks and recreation services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said the council made the application to the Minister but no agreement was reached.
“The Department of Defence did not proceed with this proposal,” he said.
A Department of Defence spokeswoman said Defence Housing Australia had a requirement for the land, and on this basis it was sold to Defence Housing Australia in 2016, consistent with Commonwealth policy.
DHA said it was “considering its options in relation the site”.
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