Toowoomba councillor backs skyhouse development in CBD

The approval of a new mixed-use “skyhouse” development has been welcomed by the community, with some saying it could be the “blueprint” for how the city developed urban living.

The Toowoomba Skyhouses project has been approved, much to the delight of Councillor Megan O'Hara Sullivan.

The approval of a massive mixed-use “skyhouse” development could serve as the blueprint for increasing the number of people living in the Toowoomba CBD, according to council’s planning and development chair.

Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan welcomed Burke Enterprises’ plan to build a six-storey development on Mylne Street, which featured eight “skyhouse” apartments, four townhouses, a retail shop as well as a cafe and restaurant.

The concept, which will potentially add dozens of new residents to the city centre, was approved by the council.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said the council wanted to see more projects like this one, which combined a number of uses under one development.

“It’s all about the housing choice (and) being able to offer people that (so) this is a good blueprint or design for that,” she said.

“How we’re going to reactivate the CBD is by offering different housing choices to live there.

“People think everyone wants the detached house, but our demographics are more sophisticated now.

“Many don’t want to live in a detached house – they want to live close to the city and walk and ride everywhere.”

The council’s belief in mixed use inner-city living has been shown in the development of other projects.

Local developer Barry Bernoth agreed to amend his plan for an apartment block on Mylne Street by adding a ground floor commercial activation space, in line with the council’s wishes.