Ex-Toowoomba Ford dealership site to become mixed-use commercial space after plans lodged by LJ Hooker to council

It was once the Toowoomba home of the one of the world’s most famous car brands — now plans have been lodged to create something new at this old city dealership.

PLANS LODGED: The former Ford dealership site on James Street in Harristown will soon host a range of retail shops, after plans were lodged with the council for a variation request to the site.

The site of the old Toowoomba Ford dealership on one of the city’s biggest intersections will become a major mixed-use commercial space, following an application to the council.

The property on James Street in Harristown, which features a collection of tenancies spread over nearly two hectares, has been left mostly vacant since Ford changed hands last year.

Now site owners Savatore and Santo Pennisi and real estate agency LJ Hooker Commercial have lodged a proposal with the council for a “variation request” over the site.

Currently zoned as low-impact industry under the planning scheme, the request would allow future proposals to be assessed against that of a mixed-use commercial space for a variety of industries.

According to the variation scheme document by Precinct Urban Planning's James Williams, the intent of the proposal is to allow for a range of potential tenants to move into the site.

PLANS LODGED: The former Ford dealership site on James Street in Harristown will soon host a range of retail shops, after plans were lodged with the council for a variation request to the site.

“The application seeks to purposefully overcome regulatory complexities arising from the underlying zoning of the land for industrial purposes, notwithstanding its approved use for commercial purposes, being the sale and display of vehicles and vehicle accessories,” the report said.

“These constraints inappropriately detract from the interchangeability of compatible uses from one tenancy to another.

“The purpose is to provide for a range of retail and commercial activities to service the needs of the community.

“Development includes service and low impact industry, retail and commercial uses which do

not compromise the role and function of the higher order centres on the established centres hierarchy.”

According to an economic need and impact assessment report by Foresight Partners, the future tenants could include offices, agricultural supplies stores, showrooms, car washes, food and drink outlets, health care services, education, outdoor sales, sport and recreation and garden centres.

The report supported the variation request, arguing it would service the immediate area without taking business away from other centres like Clifford Gardens.

“The main trade area is currently significantly under-served in terms of most health care services and could support significant additions to supply,” the report said.

“The proposed development represents a substantial net benefit to the residents of the MTA and the Toowoomba LGA as a whole.

“In our opinion, there is a strong economic, community, and planning need for the proposed

development which would improve the community’s wellbeing without undermining or causing any undue impacts upon the centre network.”

The proposal is impact-assessable, meaning community consultation will need to be carried out as part of the planning process.

LJ Hooker’s Mike Stewart said the variation request was just the start of plans for the site.

“Eventually, we’re knocking down the building in the middle, that old shed, to make way for carparking and to refocus the buildings.