Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre approved by Toowoomba council for two new drive-through eateries

Two new major franchises will be moving into the site of a massive Toowoomba shopping centre, creating dozens of new jobs. Here’s how it could look.

A major Toowoomba shopping centre has been given the green light to replace a large chunk of its parking with two new drive-through restaurants featuring international franchises.

Clifford Gardens was approved last week by the Toowoomba Regional Council to build new eateries on existing carparking along James Street in Newtown.

The centre, which was bought by Elanor Investors Group for $145m last year, proposed the new drive-through outlets back in May.

KFC and Taco Bell have been identified as the tenants, with the latter representing its first foray into the Garden City.

Toowoomba's Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre was bought by Elanor Investors Group, in partnership with Savills Investment Management, for $145m in 2021.

According to the report by Revolution Town Planning, the two eateries would have a gross floor area of 420 sqm and support more than 70 jobs during operation.

The council highlighted a number of issues with the original proposal in its information request, relating to pedestrian access, waste collection, parking, water infrastructure and traffic impacts.

After these issues were met, planning office Jayden Forbes-Mitchell recommended its approval in his assessment report.

“A carparking demand analysis was undertaken for the development at the request of council to determine whether the carparking requirements may be modified based on the current demand experienced by the shopping centre,” his report said.

“This analysis determined that the maximum on-site demand for the centre is estimated at approximately 800 spaces, significantly short of the post-development provision of carparking.

“For this reason it is considered appropriate to modify the carparking requirements under the POD and require the development provide carparking as shown on the submitted plans.”

The approval came more than 80 conditions attached.

KFC and Taco Bell will become the latest fast food options available at the Anzac Avenue/James Street intersection, which already features McDonald’s, Pizza Guardians, Zarraffas and other independents.

Elanor Investors was contacted for comment on when construction would start.

The deal between the centre owner and the two tenancies included involvement from Edward Hodge of Hodge Real Estate.