Toowoomba Regional Council endorse proposal for Airbnb at Middle Ridge property despite opposition

Neighbours living on a quiet street on the edge of the Toowoomba escarpment have reported their opposition to an Airbnb proposal nearby. But the council still approved it.

11 Dippel Street in Middle Ridge will become an Airbnb, after the Toowoomba Regional Council gave it approval at a special meeting.

A home on the edge of the Toowoomba escarpment will become an Airbnb after it was approved by the council, despite concerns from residents over noise and traffic.

The councillors voted unanimously at Wednesday’s special meeting to give the green light to the proposal by applicants Alexander and Karen Benn for the three-bedroom property on Dippel Street in Middle Ridge.

The house is located on a hatchet block and is close to the boundary of the Lockyer Valley.

In her report, planner Shokhida Safarova said no changes were planned for the house, with the application simply to clear the property as a short-term accommodation site.

“The existing dwelling is an above-ground single storey building with three bedrooms, open plan kitchen, dining and living areas,” she said.

Four submissions were received from neighbouring residents as part of the notification period, with concerns raised around noise, rubbish and traffic impacts on the surrounding area.

But Ms Safarova said the issues raised could be mitigated with conditions.

“Issues raised in the submissions relate to potential amenity impacts from noise, rubbish and an increase in traffic and cars parked on-street in front of the subject site,” she wrote.

“The submitters are concerned that the use is not in keeping with the character of the quiet rural residential setting.

“In addressing the assessment benchmarks and the issues raised in submissions, it is recommended that the rooms cannot be let individually and that the use is limited to a maximum of six persons at any one time.

“It is also recommended to impose conditions to regulate noise levels to acceptable criteria, including a noise complaints regimen.”

While she ultimately supported the concept, councillor Carol Taylor raised concerns around increased traffic due to the property becoming an Airbnb, especially during bad weather.

“I think it could be an issue road traffic and safety — are we confident whether there should be a stop sign at the end of that driveway?” she asked.

In response to the questions, development services manager Danielle Fitzpatrick said the council should trust visitors would drive to conditions.

Neither the applicant nor submitters against the project were present at the meeting to speak with councillors.