Toowoomba developer Clive Berghofer proposes fourth stage of Akora housing estate at Highfields to council
One of Toowoomba’s most famous citizens has advanced his plans for a controversial housing estate north of the city, which will eventually unlock more than 200 lots.
Development
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Toowoomba’s most prolific developer Clive Berghofer has taken steps to ramp up a controversial housing estate north of the city.
Mr Berghofer this month lodged plans with the Toowoomba Regional Council to create the next stage of his 220-lot Akora subdivision off Reis Rd in Highfields.
The application will comprise the development’s fourth stage, worth 45 residential lots with an average size of 870sq m.
According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning’s Paul Kelly, the works include pedestrian access to Kuhls Rd on the eastern side.
“These pedestrian links serve a dual purpose for the conveyance of underground infrastructure (e.g. sewer, stormwater, electricity),” the report said.
The application comes as Mr Berghofer’s land sales company revealed it was getting the first 48 lots, comprising stages one and two, ready for market.
“The development engineers from Toowoomba Regional Council are currently inspecting the infrastructure constructed for ‘on maintenance’ approval,” the website said.
“Landscaping works should commence early February (and) we hope to be selling the Stages one and two lots (in) late February to mid-March.
“With tree lined streets, footpaths, pedestrian links and a cycle network on Barracks Road, the estate allows for easy walking and riding.”
Akora is one of more than a dozen subdivisions currently creating more than 700 new lots across the Toowoomba region over the next two years.
The subdivision became a contentious development after locals took issue with the clearing of several notable mature trees at the site, some of which were believed to be more than 100 years old.
A petition from activists and residents calling for council to tighten its tree clearing laws earnt more than 7000 signatures.
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