Toowoomba Regional Council spends $600k on 134ha of escarpment land

The Toowoomba Regional Council has revealed why it made its most significant land parcel purchase since it was created through amalgamation.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has bought 130 hectares of land on the escarpment off Prince Henry Heights. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Habitat conservation and potential tourism opportunities were behind Toowoomba Regional Council making its largest land purchase since amalgamation.

Records reveal the council bought 130 hectares of land across two neighbouring properties on the escarpment for $600,000.

Council bought the properties, one in Prince Henry Heights and one in Withcott, from previous owner June Ann Williamson in March this year.

It’s the council’s most significant land acquisition since 2008, and caps off the organisation spending $48m of ratepayer’s money on 655 hectares of property throughout the past 10 years.

Environment and community portfolio leader Councillor Tim McMahon said the decision to buy the escarpment land, which was made behind closed doors last year, was to help the council link Redwood and Jubilee Parks together.

“The decision to purchase the land was made on November 17, 2020 with the property valued by an independent registered valuer,” he said.

“Council purchased this land as part of a long-term strategy to link Redwood Park and Jubilee Park.

“As part of this strategy council is aiming to bring regionally significant fire management trails into public ownership to further enhance bushfire protection for the communities of Toowoomba and Withcott.

“Council also wants to facilitate the long-term development of a section of the adopted Trails Network Strategy – (the) Toowoomba Escarpment Trail.”

Mr McMahon said the council would investigate using firebreaks to help formalise links between Jubilee Park, Redwood Park and Prince Henry Drive Park through areas to the east of the escarpment.

“(This will) protect and enhance habitat conservation, ecological connectivity, urban biodiversity values and scenic viewpoints along the escarpment (and) facilitate the further development of significant regional parklands,” he said.

The former Toowoomba Shire Council had bought 267 hectares of land in Leyburn in 1997.