East Toowoomba’s Millbrook property on Phillip Street to become childcare centre under new proposal to council

One of Toowoomba’s oldest properties, which was original the home of the city’s first mayor, could become a childcare centre if plans are approved by the council.

The 160-year-old home of Toowoomba’s first mayor could become a childcare centre for nearly 100 children under new plans proposed to council.

Developer Josh Poynter of JRP Building has lodged plans with the TRC to convert Millbrook on Phillip Street in East Toowoomba into a 94-place centre.

It marks a major reuse and revitalisation for the heritage-listed home, which was first built by Toowoomba’s original mayor Henry Groom in the 1860s.

Millbrook, the home William Henry Groom, Toowoomba's first mayor and the first Toowoomba member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning’s Paul Kelly, the transformation would see the main property converted into a centre, with another home fronting Aubigny Street demolished to make way for a car park.

“The proposal includes a 94 place child care centre accommodating children from six weeks to six years of age and will operate between the hours of 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday,” the report said.

Josh Poynter, JRP Building, out the front of historic Millbrook home. JRP is handling the renovation of the heritage-listed 1860s Toowoomba home in Phillip St, Toowoomba City.

“The development will be staged, with Stage one seeking to largely retain the existing former residence, ‘Millbrook’ at 9 Phillip Street and make provision for an extension at the rear of this building.

“Stage one also includes construction of the car park at 3 Aubigny Street.

“The second stage of the development includes a single storey child care centre building at the rear of former residence at 9 Phillip Street.”

Mr Kelly’s report said the redevelopment would be sympathetic to the original design and architectural elements.

Millbrook, the home William Henry Groom, Toowoomba's first mayor and the first Toowoomba member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, was listed for sale.

“Extensions to the former residence “Millbrook” are at the rear of the building and will be sympathetic and subservient to the heritage values of the place,” he wrote.

“In this regard, the extension will be low-set on stumps at a similar floor height to the existing building with Sycon Linea horizontal wall cladding to match weatherboards and a corrugated iron hip roof-line with a pitch that is subservient to the existing roof-line in accordance with State agency pre-lodgement advice.”

Plans for a new childcare centre at Millbrook on Phillip Street in East Toowoomba.

Originally, Millbrook was built on Ruthven St, but in 1902 his widow, Grace Groom, had the house picked up and moved by bullock and cart to Phillip St as she found the city’s main thoroughfare had become too busy.

Mr Poynter had laid out plans to redevelop Millbrook into a commercial building as far back as 2020.

“Millbrook is such a beautiful home, so many people have an affiliation with it in some way or another, and I would hate to see another grand home left to ruin,” Mr Poynter said at the time, referring the level of dilapidation that had occurred in the preceding years.