Toowoomba Regional Council outlines available supply of new housing lots to developers

The supply of new housing lots for residential development in Toowoomba is ‘well placed’ for at least the next decade, according to state government and council research.

Research by the state government and Toowoomba Regional Council has found the region remains “well placed” to supply new housing lots for up to another ten years.

At a briefing with development industry figures and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Toowoomba Regional Council planning and development committee chair Megan O’Hara Sullivan said attendees were updated on information that included an overview of the South East Queensland Regional Plan, (covering the Toowoomba urban area), and associated growth monitoring data from Department of Treasury statisticians and TRC planners.

“Council is confident there is no imminent shortage of zoned land for residential development,” Ms O’Hara Sullivan said.

“Our primary focus centres around work to establish a growth plan to overcome challenges for our growing region and delivering on opportunities, especially around major job-creating projects.”

A total of 13 separate housing estates have additional stages being completed, while land being produced is spread across Toowoomba City and surrounding areas including Highfields, Mt Kynoch, Cotswold Hills, Torrington, Wellcamp, Glenvale, Drayton, Darling Heights and Middle Ridge.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said council expects to approve more than 450 new lots by the end of February, while up to 650 lots are in early development approval stages.

“Council is constantly monitoring the stock of land that is available for new housing and is ensuring there are no unnecessary delays in providing development approvals,” Ms O’Hara Sullivan said.

“We have seen a significant surge in land sales for new home building over the past year driven by the uptake of state and federal government home building grants. Council is working with the development industry to meet this recent rise in demand for new home lots.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said council was aware of issues raised by the development industry in relation to the provision of essential urban infrastructure, land fragmentation and wider housing market factors, and had used feedback around these topics to inform options presented in the growth plan.

“The Toowoomba Region Futures program, which includes the Growth Plan, is designed to help shape growth and development in our Region for the next 30 years,” Ms O’Hara Sullivan said.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said work to date had informed council’s two growth options in line with community values that aimed to balance the protection of character, heritage and the natural environment with convenience, access and lifestyle.