Public input sought on the future of Toowoomba region ahead of influx of 55,000 people
The region is staring down the barrel of a massive period of growth. Now the council is looking to see public input into its plans for the future.
Council
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Forecasts show the region could be home to at least another 55,000 people over the next 30 years.
It’s that kind of growth underpinning the Toowoomba Regional Council’s major planning project – Toowoomba Region Futures.
And the council is now preparing to seek wide public input to build a community vision for the region’s growth and development for the next 30 years.
The input will build on earlier community consultation that took place in 2019, which identified a range of potential improvements to the planning scheme and infrastructure plans.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said public feedback would be sought via a range of forums in 2021, with ongoing consultation to continue in the following years.
TRC Planning and Development committee chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the council was seeking feedback from a large cross section of the community to ensure future challenges would be addressed.
“How will our projected population increase over the next 30 years be housed and serviced within the region’s urban framework? What infrastructure is needed? How will this development be balanced against protecting key considerations such as, heritage and environmental issues and protection of amenity within the Region’s existing neighbourhoods?” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.
“The planning scheme affects all development in the Toowoomba Region. It is therefore important that we hear from property owners, developers, business owners or anyone who wants to play a role in shaping the future of their street, neighbourhood or town.”
Cr O’Hara Sullivan said the plan would include defining what land could be used for future housing, farming or industrial and commercial purposes; controlling how land is developed; identifying where essential urban infrastructure was needed to support existing and emerging communities; and protecting our natural, rural and urban landscapes and other specific areas of cultural significance.
For more information on the Toowoomba Region Futures program, please visit here or call council on 131 872 or email yoursay@tr.qld.gov.au.
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