Gatton subdivision: Woodlands Rise estate lots lodged with Lockyer Valley council

Dozens of new families could be moving into a growth community east of Toowoomba if plans for a new subdivision are approved. And it could be the start of a massive new estate.

PROPOSED: A 32-lot subdivision with green spaces has been planned for a parcel of land on Woodlands Road at Gatton.

A new subdivision has been proposed that would add dozens of new families to a growing community east of Toowoomba.

Woodlands Rise has submitted plans with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council for a 32-lot housing estate on Woodlands Road, just south of Gatton.

The estate, which is broken into two sub-stages, features large lifestyle blocks of between 3000 sqm and 5400 sqm.

More than 2000 sqm has been allocated for a local park, while there are also more than four hectares of green space included.

The subdivision is the southern tip of the wider Woodlands Rise housing estate, a massive masterplanned community that would substantially grow the urban footprint of Gatton.

Preliminary approval was granted for the entire estate by the council in 2019.

According to the planning report by Land Partners, the new parcels would not be adjoined to existing lots.

“It is noted the subject premises does not adjoin other lots included within the above mentioned preliminary approval area (which are situated further to the north and northeast),” the report said.

“The sequencing reflects the general structure planning for the locality, which includes the established large lot residential development to the northeast, the established rural residential development (averaging 2ha lots) to the east and the predominantly undeveloped large parcels of land and rural residential area to the north of the premises.”

The report also explored how Gatton had averaged less than 30 vacant land sales per year since 2009, meaning larger lifestyle lots were considered more desirable.

“Based on the trends of the past decade, there has been limited market demand for a substantial increase in the supply of higher density residential development at this locality, instead speaking to a need for larger lot residential estates in proximity of township areas,” the report said.

“In recent times these have included changes to the nature of work arrangements, with an increase of young families and professionals seeking to move out of the metropolitan areas, as well as people seeking a lifestyle change, with large residential lots and a scenic open space amenity being the key points of difference.

“Considering the sales data, averaging less than 30 vacant land sales per year since 2009, the extent of undeveloped land available within the preliminary approval area, there is adequate land available to meet the anticipated housing needs and demands for the expansion of the residential area within the southern part of Gatton.”