Seven development applications that faced Toowoomba Regional Council this week
BEING the assessor for the development industry is a big part of the Toowoomba Regional Council’s roles and responsibilities.
Development
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Dozens will be submitted and assessed on every week — here are seven that were either submitted to or approved by the council in the past seven days.
Links to the original stories can be found in the subhead.
1. NEW BED AND BREAKFAST, EVERGREEN
The Toowoomba Regional Council approved the plan to turn an old school building into a bed and breakfast and community space.
Applicant Jenelle Hurley was given the green light to create the space out of several old buildings on Oakey-Cooyar Rd at Evergreen, northwest of Toowoomba.
According to the assessment report by planning officer Shokhida Safarova, the site featured an old school building, amenities block, tennis court, water tower, historical kitchen hut and former school house.
2. GRAIN FACILITY TO EXPAND, SOUTHBROOK
Applicant Graintrains Pty Ltd submitted the proposal this week, which would build upon an original approval from 2010 for the site on Adams Lane at Southbrook.
According to the plans, the change would increase the facility’s overall capacity to 60,000 tonnes.
“The site is currently improved by an existing bulk grain storage facility including an office building, grain silos, weighbridge and storage sheds,” the report said.
3. CHILDCARE CENTRE APPROVED, WESTBROOK
The centre catering for up to 140 pupils and employing more than 20 people was approved by the Toowoomba Regional Council.
Applicant Knox Investing Pty Ltd can now move ahead with the plan to build the centre on Main St in Westbrook, a growing community just outside Toowoomba.
According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning, the building would have a total floor space of more than 820 sqm.
4. NEW PLANS FOR LIBRARY, HIGHFIELDS
The development of the new Highfields Library has taken an important step, with the council submitting plans for the building to its own planning department.
The council put forward the proposal for the new purpose-built library on O’Brien Rd last week, with the new building expected to service more than 52,000 visitors every year.
According to the planning report by GHD, the development would be mainly single-storey, partially built into the ground and feature plenty of landscaping.
5. DISABILITY UNITS, WILSONTON
The set of residential units for people with disabilities was approved by the Toowoomba Regional Council.
Applicant SandSky Developments can now move ahead with the plan to build four specialised units on Berry St in Wilsonton.
According to the assessment report by planning officer Nadia McLeod, the four units each feature a breakout room to meet current disability design standards.
6. SUBDIVISION PLANS DELAYED, WOOLMER
The council granted another extension to a planned subdivision north of Highfields that was originally approved six years ago, with the developer citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for the delay.
Applicant Deborah Marie Crabb has been given a two-year extension on her proposal to create 68 lots and two detention basins on Woolmer Rd at Woolmer.
The development was originally approved back in 2014 as part of an order by the planning and environment court, before it was extended in 2018 by two years.
7. NEW RESIDENTIAL UNITS, TOOWOOMBA CITY
Developer Barry Bernoth has submitted plans for a five-storey, 14-unit apartment block on Mylne St in Toowoomba City to the council.
According to the planning report, the initial proposal would include eight three-bedroom units, five two-bedroom units, a one-bedroom apartment and a communal roof deck and garden.
“The proposal represents a high quality residential development which will enhance the Mylne St streetscape,” it said.