The Toowoomba Region Council will sell a 2ha block in heart of Middle Ridge
Toowoomba Regional Council has agreed to sell off a 2 hectare block of land in the middle of a popular Toowoomba suburb, which is estimated to be suitable for more than 80 dwellings.
Development
Don't miss out on the headlines from Development. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An extra 82 to 123 homes could be built in the heart of Middle Ridge after the Toowoomba Regional Council voted to sell off surplus land it owns on Ramsay Street.
The 2ha block was used as a nursery but has been vacant for several years.
According to the council zoning regulations, up to 60 dwellings could be built per hectare but the final total for this lot was not known.
Its future was brought to the council meeting on Tuesday, where the councillors voted unanimously to move to public tender.
The council will start by seeking expressions of interest from the development sector before asking for a formal tender.
At the meeting, councillor Tim McMahon asked the acting general manager of the planning and development group, Kari Musgrove, how long it would take to sell off the land.
Ms Musgrove said it would take some time for the interested parties to get their submissions in order, and for the council to assess them.
“I would advise caution to get the right outcome,” she said.
The block of land is set back from Ramsay Street and is flanked by existing housing and a park.
It is zoned for low to medium residential development
Mayor Geoff McDonald said he expected significant interest in the site from developers and investors.
“This is another example of this term of council doing things differently, for the better,” he said.
“I am hopeful that this is successful and it may well set the path for other council owned land
“We need to make sure we keep a clear eye on the future for our region.
“This is almost what you would call a test case.”
‘Awesome idea’ or ‘pipe dream’? $450m steel mill project divides locals
Your say: Residents have had plenty of thoughts on a new plan to build Queensland’s first new steel mill in 30 years in Toowoomba.
Nearly 1000 jobs: $450m Qld plan for ‘green’ steel mill revealed
Nearly 1000 jobs could be supported by a $450m plan to build Queensland’s first steel mill in three decades in a regional city. Here’s why its founders say the project stacks up:
‘Far and wide’: The nuclear map green activists want you to see
An Australian environmental activist group has released new mapping they say shows the risks nuclear energy could pose to some of the biggest population centres across the country, if a catastrophic event were to occur. SEE THE MAP
‘Great opportunity’: Ratepayers foot $17k for industry conference
Council has unanimously voted to sponsor a key industry conference at the Empire Theatre this year for $17,000, with proponents arguing it could inject $1.6m into the local economy.
Carnival’s ‘strategic plan’ adopted, but festival future still cloudy
The council may have adopted its strategic plan for the future of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, but there is still no clarity on one of its signature events. Here’s when we should get an answer:
‘Short-sighted’: Councillor’s concerns over Highfields CBD plan
Changes to a new town centre for one of Toowoomba’s fastest-growing regions has alarmed a veteran councillor as the backlash continues over one of its most controversial elements.