Developer cites Toowoomba Regional Council flood mapping over extension request for approved set of units in Newtown

The developer for a set of units approved by the Toowoomba Regional Council nearly five years ago has requested an extension, citing changes to flood mapping.

The developer of an approved set of units on Swallow Ct in Newtown has sent an extension request to the Toowoomba Regional Council.

The developer behind an approved set of units in a small residential street in Toowoomba has requested more time to start construction, citing issues with new council flood mapping.

Empress Properties Pty Ltd was approved in 2016 for a set of six units in Swallow Ct in Newtown by the Toowoomba Regional Council, with a subsequent operational works plan green-lit the following year.

With the approvals set to lapse next month, town planner Lynette Prince-Large wrote to the council to request an extension.

Ms Prince-Large said the TRC’s recent changes to flood mapping had slightly impacted the development.

“We appreciate that since the application was approved there have been changes to the Toowoomba Regional planning scheme, in particular a new flood overlay is now in place that more accurately represents flood hazard across Toowoomba,” she wrote.

“It should however be noted that this only affects a very tiny part of the lots where the proposed driveway will be located and hence this code has not been addressed.”

The council is still assessing the application.