Homecorp Construction proposes new application for next three stages of Essence Estate Cotswold Hills amid Toowoomba council court battle

A controversial Toowoomba housing estate that was rejected by the council has been re-lodged by its developer while it is currently before the courts.

Homecorp Construction's proposal for more than 170 lots at Cotswold Hills, making up the balance of Essence Estate. It was rejected in 2023 by the Toowoomba council.

The developer behind a controversial $105m subdivision in Toowoomba’s growing western corridor is hoping for a timely approval from council after it was sensationally rejected late last year.

Homecorp Construction has resubmitted plans for the next three stages (five, six and seven) of Essence Estate in Cotswold Hills, representing 86 lots ranging from 500sq m to 2300sq m in size.

Eight of those parcels will be duplexes, bringing the total number of dwellings to 94.

It is a far cry from the plan that featured 171 lots across six stages that was knocked back by councillors at a special meeting in November last year, on the back of growing community opposition to the estate.

The grounds for refusal outlined by councillors at the meeting related to some lots measuring just 450sq m, along with a lack of vegetative buffer zones between Essence and existing rural-residential homes, perceived flooding impacts and the loss of amenity for current locals.

Essence land sale

The original application is still before the planning and environment court following an appeal from Homecorp, with the areas of contention believed to be focused on the final three stages.

According to the planning report by LandPartners, the new application has addressed the minimum lot size and 15m frontage requirements.

“The proposed stage five, six and seven development is to occur as a logical progression of the approved development and includes larger lots (800sq m to 2334sq m) along the southern boundary as a transition to the rural residential development to the south in accordance with the master plan,” the report said.

Homecorp chief executive Ron Bakir said he was hoping to have approval for the first three stages within months, given the application has been classed as code-assessable and won’t need to go to another meeting.

Ron Bakir Homecorp chief executive. Photo: Regi Varghese

“The argument (in court) is about the other side, so we’re just trying to push forward (with these stages) so we don’t have any delays,” he said.

“It complies as code assessment, the officers didn’t have an issue with it — it’s all compliant, so there’s no room for them to suggest that it can’t meet code.”

Mr Bakir said he could have work starting on site within 60 days of the approval of both the DA and operational works, arguing time was of the essence.

“Our ideal situation is to keep the construction team on the ground (because) we’re developing the other stages right now, (and) we’re coming up to completion of civil works in August,” he said.

“The best outcome is to have approval relatively quickly.

“Council should consider the shortage of housing — people are sleeping in their cars, so people should consider that and ask how they can get a speedy project through the system to assist the community.”

It is understood the court appeal is currently in arbitration.

The first four stages of Essence by the previous developer also needed to be approved via a court order, following a previous council’s rejection of it in 2014.