George Weston Foods starts discussions with Toowoomba council after killing 1000-lot Northgate Vista in 2022
A developer has reportedly started talking to the Toowoomba council again to create housing on one of the city’s last large plots, just a year after it killed its own plan following a lengthy court battle.
Development
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The developers behind a now-defunct housing estate that would’ve created more than 1000 new homes inside Toowoomba has reportedly started reviving the concept.
George Weston Foods last year killed its Northgate Vista proposal, which was based on 54ha of land bordering Mort and Griffiths streets in Harlaxton, after discontinuing its legal proceedings against the Toowoomba Regional Council.
After lodging the application for the subdivision in 2016, the company spent four years trying to get it approved through the council before heading to court in 2020.
It was a result condemned by many people within the business and development sector, with Chamber of Commerce chief executive Todd Rohl saying he was “flabbergasted” by the council’s handling of the situation.
But it is understood GWF has approached council’s planning department, now headed by new general manager Dr Nikola Stepanov, in recent months to eventually bring forward a new proposal.
LJ Hooker Toowoomba principal Mike Stewart said discussions had started between the parties with a view of finding an acceptable outcome.
He said the move was partially due to a change in leadership within the planning department.
“George Weston Foods has re-engaged with council and they’re moving towards restarting that process,” Mr Stewart said.
“The change at council means we can get that on the agenda — Nikola Stepanov and her team are really firing (and the change) has assisted.”
Planning and development chair councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan wouldn’t confirm discussions had begun.
“The planning branch of Toowoomba Regional Council interacts with the development industry as a regular part of our daily operations,” she said.
“These discussions, particularly as they relate to pre-lodgement matters, are confidential to protect commercial interests.
“Additionally, some matters are speculative or in early-stages and may ultimately not go ahead.”
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