Developer calls for council unity on Toowoomba bypass

A HIGHFIELDS developer says he is amazed there was not unanimous agreement from Toowoomba Regional Council on Toowoomba Second Range Crossing negotiations.

HIGHFIELDS developer Mac Stirling says he is amazed there was not 100% agreement from Toowoomba Regional Council on a recent vote involving Toowoomba Second Range Crossing negotiations.

Council met in confidential last Thursday to discuss an agreement which would see the state and federal governments provide up to $40million to build connections to the bypass from Mort and Boundary Sts.

The region's councillors voted unanimously in favour of continuing negotiations between council, the State Government and Nexus - the consortium chosen to build the bypass - except for Cr Bill Cahill who abstained citing a "lack of consultation".

"I was unclear about the extent or amount of information up front - to feel comfortable about what the likely impacts will be on the Mort St and Boundary St intersections and on the immediate community and future traffic issues that may or may not eventuate as traffic connects from the north," Cr Cahill said.

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Mr Stirling, who is managing director of Lauder Pty, said as a major property developer in the fast growing Highfields area it was absolutely essential to provide connectivity with north Toowoomba and Highfields with the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, particularly at the Mort St interchange.

"The Highfields area is one of the fastest growing areas within the Toowoomba region and a well-designed, easy-to-use connection to the proposed crossing will be essential for the further development of the area both for commercial and residential reasons," he said.

"It amazes us that there could not be 100% agreement from within council on the need for this essential piece of infrastructure.

"As we understand it, council have been discussing this for some time and were well aware of the importance of this piece of connecting infrastructure."

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He said the Toowoomba region was starting what would be a sustained period of progress and development.

"To make this occur seamlessly the various components must be interconnected, the new airport connected to the Range Crossing and the Charlton area connected to road and rail.

"Similarly, the city of Toowoomba and the fast growing residential areas to the north of the city must be connected to the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing."

He said his family property development company Lauder Pty Ltd had substantial assets in the Highfields area including the Highfields Village Shopping Centre and that he was passionate about the future quality development of Highfields and the broader Toowoomba region.

Cr Cahill was unable to be reached for comment regarding Mr Stirling's statements.

Originally published as Developer calls for council unity on Toowoomba bypass