Property developer Clive Berghofer hits back at Toowoomba Regional Council comments about land-banking

Developer Clive Berghofer says land-banking is not behind Toowoomba’s property woes, taking aim at comments directed at the practice from within the council.

Property developer Clive Berghofer has hit back at comments from council and real estate experts about the potential negative effects of land-banking in Toowoomba, saying any holdup in creating homes is not from his end of the industry.

Mr Berghofer, who claims to have developed more than 10,000 lots across the city, believes he was the subject of a discussion that arose yesterday at a special property developers’ breakfast in Toowoomba.

While speaking at the industry-sponsored event at The Oaks Hotel, leading property analyst Tim Lawless noted how large swathes being owned by a single developer could “create complexities” in the marketplace.

Mr Lawless said he wasn’t referring to Mr Berghofer but rather explaining a concept to an audience member.

His comments were brought up at a Toowoomba Regional Council committee meeting later that morning.

Mayor Paul Antonio highlighted land banking as a potential issue, before asking planning and development general manager Stewart Somers whether or not it would be prudent for the council to review its entire land supply.

“I just wonder if it’s not appropriate that we look at the entire land that’s available, as we stand now, and look at the impediments, so we as a group can get our head around exactly where we are,” Mr Antonio said.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard reference to a single owner being an impediment to development of blocks in Toowoomba.”

In response, Mr Somers said land banking could become an issue when greenfield sites were earmarked for development.

Both men had been at the earlier breakfast when Mr Lawless made his comment.

“The moment it’s earmarked, you’ll find normally that larger developers will be moving out and taking control of that land and land-banking it and when the future is right, they’ll start developing,” Mr Somers said.

“The interesting thing with one of our land bankers is he’s not that sensitive to the market, he’s somewhat impervious to the market, so it’s the luxury developers have.”

Mr Antonio later refused to say if he was talking about Mr Berghofer.

Mr Somers later said it was a matter for the Urban Developers Institute of Australia, which organised the breakfast, when asked if he was referring to Mr Berghofer.

But on hearing the comments, Mr Berghofer said the men could have been talking about him.

Mr Berghofer said he was still the largest single owner of developable land in the greater Toowoomba area.

He said he was moving quickly with the land he had and planned to sell off more.

“We’ve done 200 lots this year and we’ve got tenders out for another 50 blocks,” he said.

“Two years ago, we couldn’t sell our land, because it was so quiet — the only reason it’s picked up is the stimulus from the Federal Government.”

“I’m the only person in Toowoomba for the last 60 years who has continually developed.

“I’ve sold a lot of land to other developers, Palm Lakes is one (and) we’ve got a few under contract, one at Mt Kynoch and one at Highfields.”

Mr Berghofer said any delays in the release of land were likely due to council requirements, the quality of the remaining land and a huge backlog in the construction sector due to the success of the HomeBuilder grant.

“We can blame the lot on council, because the conditions are so stringent, whether it’s koala bears or whatever,” he said.

“We’ve got to do so many studies. The (other) problem with Toowoomba is there’s not much good land.”