Toowoomba developer Ian Knox revealed as land owner for new proposed McDonald’s restaurant

McDonald's has proposed a new restaurant in Toowoomba, and the developer who owns the land believes it will fill a big gap in the fast food market.

PROPOSED: Concept art for a planned McDonald's restaurant on Ruthven St in North Toowoomba.

The man helping to create Toowoomba’s newest McDonald’s restaurant says there is a demand for the fast food giant in the city’s northern suburbs.

Major property developer Ian Knox and his son Campbell own the four parcels of land near the corner of Ruthven and Jones Streets in Harlaxton, which McDonald’s Australia has slated to become a massive stand-alone drive-through restaurant.

Mr Knox, who developed the neighbouring Northpoint Shopping Centre and Aldi Supermarket, said he fielded offers from numerous fast food chains to buy the land.

“McDonald’s have endeavoured to purchase that property, which I’ve owned since I developed Northpoint and Aldi,” he said.

“I had to put signals on Jones and Ruthven Streets, and a pedestrian walkway, and so I saw the opportunity on the northwestern point as a future fast food or fuel station.

“I’ve held that property for six years, and I had every intention of developing it myself, because there are many opportunities for a drive-through restaurant.

“I had offers from KFC and Carl’s Jr, but I elected to sell the property to McDonald’s.”

Mr Knox said the contract with McDonald’s was conditional on the company getting approval for the new restaurant, at which point he would demolish the four residential properties currently standing at the site.

“McDonald’s Australia own all their stand-alone sites and then they will franchise out to the local licensee,” he said.

“I had wanted to develop it, but now I want to focus on land housing estates, and my decision to sell the opportunity onto McDonald’s is the best decision for me.

“It is conditional to the DA being approved.

“We two rented out and two vacant, and once the contract becomes unconditional, we’ll remove the houses and leave the site vacant.

“We’ll be removing the houses and leave the site cleared of asbestos and without contamination.”

A map of the coverage of McDonald's restaurants in Toowoomba, including a new location proposed in North Toowoomba.

The new restaurant proposal includes a 400 sqm restaurant, 37 car parks and a dual-lane drive-through section, with access to the site from Jones Street.

Mr Knox said there was clear demand for a new fast food outlet in North Toowoomba.

“There is a gap in the market — McDonald’s employs a lot of people, and I’m sure there is a lot of merit to it,” he said.

The council has yet to respond to the application.

McDonald’s Australia was contacted for comment.