Highfields Chamber of Commerce calls on Toowoomba council to fast-track town centre project

More than four years after it was was first conceived, a major development needs to be fast-tracked in Highfields according to the town’s business community.

Highfields Chamber of Commerce president Jim O'Dea wants the Toowoomba Regional Council to fast-track the development of the Highfields town centre master plan, to keep track of a huge influx of new residents through major subdivisions (left).

The Highfields business community has urged the Toowoomba Regional Council to fast-track its plan to create a new town centre, as the community braces for an influx of thousands of residents.

It’s been more than four years since the council bought nearly 20 hectares of prime land in the Highfields business district from developer Clive Berghofer to create a vibrant area for businesses, residents and commuters.

But Highfields Chamber of Commerce president Jim O’Dea said he was concerned the approval of thousands of new lots in subdivisions across Highfields and Meringandan would add to the ad hoc development seen in the area over the past decade.

“In just past year, development applications were submitted over more than 1200 new or amended lots,” he said.

“Over a relatively short period, that could easily result in more than 3000 new residents into Highfields and Meringandan from just the applications submitted last year.

“We’ve been calling for the growth of that mixed-use area — there’s an ongoing need to see development happen in a controlled way that doesn’t take away from the lifestyle of Highfields.”

A map of the upcoming subdivisions either proposed or approved in the Highfields and Meringandan areas.

Mr O’Dea said the council risked being left in the lurch as developers got ready to expand commercial services to meet the growing population.

“It’s a town of 12,000 to 14,000 people and deserves to have a community town centre that can support it as an ongoing town centre,” he said.

“Our concerns are that without some more investment in the Highfields town centre area, the developers will come but they’ll only buy divided up little areas.

“Developers are taking blocks wherever they can, but without council opening up the town centre, it will be ad hoc and won’t be in a controlled way.”

Mr O’Dea said the chamber also wanted to see Kuhls Road released and widened to cater for increased traffic.

Planning and development chair Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the TRC wanted to deliver the project properly.

“The reason it’s taking so long is the views vary within council about either getting it off our books or doing it properly,” she said.

“That’s why it’s taking so long, we have one opportunity to get it right.

“My intention is to get it done right and planned properly, so it’s a really good community outcome.”

A consultant’s report into an “optimal divestment strategy” for the town centre is due back to council by the middle of this year.