Toowoomba Regional Council approves plan for 60-lot subdivision in growth area despite opposition from neighbours

The Toowoomba Regional Council has approved a 60-lot subdivision in a growth area north of the city, despite it technically conflicting with the planning scheme it was assessed against.

A planned subdivision along Willis Rd at Meringandan West, which was approved by the Toowoomba Regional Council.

A plan for a 60-lot subdivision in a growing part of the Toowoomba region has been approved by the council, despite it being inconsistent with the planning scheme it was assessed against.

Councillors voted on Wednesday afternoon to grant approval to Wise Corporation Australia Pty Ltd to build “Eagle Heights”, a series of rural residential lots on a large block off Willis Rd in Meringandan West.

According to the report by TRC planner Krys den Hertog, the subdivision would be built over five stages, with lots roughly measuring 4000 sqm in size.

The application included a variation of the planning scheme to “establish alternative assessment provisions that would, in effect, facilitate future development consistent with the rural residential zone”.

Mr den Hertog said while the application was being assessed against a previous version of the council’s planning scheme, since it was submitted in April last year, a future amendment that was currently with the State Government would actually rezone the land from “rural” to “rural residential”.

“The development does conflict with version 23 of the scheme, however the development deals with flood risk in versions 24 and 25, and is consistent with proposed amendment No 20,” he told councillors.

“Despite the conflict, the assessment has determined that there are sufficient reasons to approve the development.”

Three submissions were opposing the development, with concerns including water quality, flooding, public safety and amenity.

While some councillors did have questions relating to flooding and dust management, the application was approved unanimously.