Toowoomba council lodges $350m submission to Qld government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to unlock 50,000 homes across region

The Toowoomba council believes it can unlock 50,000 extra homes’ worth of development over the next seven years as part of a funding pitch to the new LNP government.

More than 50,000 homes could be unlocked across the Toowoomba region over the coming years — but only if the LNP follows through with a “one-in-a-decade” infrastructure investment opportunity.

Toowoomba Regional Council is hoping to hear back from the state government soon on its submission to the $1bn Regional Infrastructure Guarantee (RIG) as part of the existing $2bn Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The funding appeal, dubbed “Grants for Growth” by the TRC, will see the organisation ask for help in delivering more than $350m worth of water, waste, parks and road infrastructure across the region through to 2031.

Key projects include a new $90m water treatment plant to service the southern districts, new reservoirs worth more than $30m combined and a new trunk main at Glenvale.

It is also a major boost to the delivery of Ian Knox’s Fernleigh estate at Westbrook and Richards Group’s Gainsborough Lodge in Wellcamp, with both needing significant trunk infrastructure support.

If the application is successful, the funding could be used to add another 50,000 lots across the region than would otherwise be supported with council’s current 10-year capital works program.

TRC planning and development general manager Dr Nikola Stepanov.

One council insider called it a “once-in-a-decade” chance that the TRC couldn’t afford to miss.

According to the report by outgoing planning general manager Nikola Stepanov and water and waste GM Jaek Passier that was delivered at December’s meeting, called the $1bn RIG a “rare opportunity”.

“The significant funding challenges faced by local governments are escalating at a time when some regional local governments, such as Toowoomba Regional Council, are experiencing high population growth rates with an ever-increasing gap between available housing and demand for housing,” the report said.

“Should the funding be announced, this presents a rare opportunity for council to secure funding to advance the delivery of substantial and critical infrastructure projects.

“Many of the projects identified are ‘bring-forwards’.

“That is, they are planned as part of council’s long-term local government infrastructure plan (extending from 2030-2050 and beyond); however, with external funding, the projects could be brought forward to deliver housing in the short-term (4-7 year horizon).”

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie is the minister who will reveal the funding recipients. Picture: Supplied

The submission also includes $170m in sports and recreation parkland slated for growth areas like Highfields, Meringandan, Glenvale, Drayton, Westbrook, Wyreema, Cambooya and Middle Ridge.

Unusually, there is just one road project included — the Highfields/Kratzke/O’Brien intersections upgrade as part of the new Highfields town centre that is already under construction.

The submission has been endorsed by the local chair of Urban Developers Institute of Australia Rob Weymouth, who urged local government minister Jarrod Bleijie to secure much-needed funding for one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions.

“The UDIA has put a submission in to the state (and) we covered all the regions in our submission,” he said.

“We’re 100 percent behind supporting it, and I really do hope we get the funding.

“It will change the future of our region, for the next 20 years and help our region grow.”

Mr Weymouth said he had been discussing the RIG with treasurer and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki.