Toowoomba developer Ian Knox offers $5000 for information after Wirraglen subdivision in Highfields sees graffiti, vandalism

A $5000 reward has been offered to help catch vandals who again targeted a fast-selling Toowoomba housing estate — this time with spray paint.

Hallmark Property Group CEO Ian Knox is disturbed by graffiti at Wirraglen Estate in Kleinton. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The developer behind one of Toowoomba’s fastest-selling subdivisions has offered a cash reward to find the people responsible for causing hundreds of dollars in graffiti and vandalism at the housing estate.

Hallmark Property’s Ian Knox has taken aim at vandals who defaced new fencing with spray paint and destroyed young trees at Wirraglen Estate in Kleinton.

Mr Knox, who is one of Toowoomba’s most prominent developers, said he would give up to $5000 to anyone who can provide police or Crime Stoppers with information regarding the incident, which occurred at the weekend.

Hallmark Property Group CEO Ian Knox is disturbed by graffiti at Wirraglen Estate in Kleinton, Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“This kind of behaviour has no place in Toowoomba or Highfields,” he said.

“Our region is known for its beauty and community pride, and it’s essential we work together to eliminate vandalism like this.

“We’ve managed to scrub a bit of it off but we may have to replace the palings cause it’s on raw timber.

“The fences were put in all the way down Kleinton Rd and it’s just a travesty that someone who has no care or consideration or thought would come along and destroy them.”

This is the latest act of vandalism to occur at Wirraglen, after Mr Knox revealed last month that 10 tree saplings had been damaged, removed or run over.

“We’ve gotta shut this down – some people say, ‘just point it out, move on’, and I said ‘no, it needs to be highlighted that this doesn’t belong in Toowoomba’,” he said.

“We don’t know where they come from, but at the end of the day, I suspect they are young and their minds haven’t quite developed the context of caring for the world.

“It’s about accountability, it’s as simple as that — you can’t just go along and wantonly destroy a beautiful ambience for your own gratification.”

Construction begins on Kleinton homes, childcare centre

An aerial view of the upcoming childcare centre in Kleinton.

It comes as development has ramped up inside Wirraglen, with 25 homes under construction inside the 150-lot development.

Mr Knox said he sold two-thirds of the major housing project within three months.

“We’ve sold a 100 lots in three months – that’s extraordinary (because) there’s no supply, the demand is absolutely incredible,” he said.

“I’ve never experienced selling a 100 lots in three month, and there’s another 50 to go, and they’ll be sold quickly.”

A separate but related project is the upcoming 100-space childcare centre along Kleinton Rd, which was approved earlier this year by the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Mr Knox said construction would start in early 2025, with the centre to be handed over to Queensland operator Una.

“We’ll start that in February and we’ll deliver it to the operator – they are from the Sunshine Coast and want a position in Toowoomba and they’ve taken up a 20 year lease,” he said.

“This one will go on the market in 2026 as a freehold, with a 20-year lease backed by the government (in subsidies).

“The operator is really strong and he’s been trying to break into Toowoomba and Highfields for a while so we got him involved.

“We’re providing a full fit-out – they’re even putting in a kitchen and the chef in there will provide all the meals for all the kids.”

Anyone with information about graffiti in Kleinton can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.