Retirement village developer wants six-year extension to new units with Toowoomba Regional Council

THE developer behind an approved expansion to a retirement facility in Toowoomba’s western suburbs says COVID-19 has forced them to delay construction.

An expansion to a retirement facility needs to be delayed.

Applicant TLF Developments has submitted a request for a six-year extension on its approval of seven two-bedroom units on Hursley Rd in Glenvale with the Toowoomba Regional Council.

The units form part of the existing Glenvale Villas aged care retirement village.

The TRC granted approval for the development back in 2016, with the approval set to lapse later this month.

In a letter to the council, Enhance Urban Planning said the developer needed until 2026 to start work on the project, citing several factors.

“Around the time the approval was given, the proponent also received approval for a townhouse development in New South Wales,” the letter said.

“Based on financing and pre-sale commitments, construction of the NSW development was prioritised.

“Construction of the NSW development commenced in 2017 and was finalised in 2019.”

The letter said the applicant had intended to secure finance for the units and start construction earlier this year.

“The ability to secure finance was severely affected by the impacts of the current COVID-19 global pandemic given that reduced investor confidence was observed,” it said.

“The largest impacts were observed in February and March 2020 and have continued throughout the year.”

This is one of several projects across Toowoomba which have recently either requested or been granted a time extension, with all citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a detrimental factor.