Toowoomba Gasworks: Residential, commercial precinct along Chalk Drive planned for former Ergon site in CBD

It’s a well-known parcel of land in the CBD that has stood vacant for years. Now there are plans to turn it into a 10-storey residential and retail precinct that includes the introduction of a new supermarket chain.

One of the last major parcels of land in the Toowoomba CBD could be soon filled, after plans were lodged for a huge residential and commercial precinct at the old Toowoomba Gasworks site.

New South Wales developer Gerard Hanna, through his appropriately-named company Gasworks Rejuvenation Pty Ltd, submitted his application with the Toowoomba Regional Council for the new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Chalk Drive and Neil Street.

The project, according to the report by Precinct Urban Planning, will feature more than 50 new units, a supermarket, multiple retail tenancies and a plaza-style walkway.

Conceptual designs by architecture firm Buchan for the new Gasworks Rejuvenation project, a mixed-use residential and commercial precinct along Chalk Drive in Toowoomba City.

The entire precinct will be supported by more than 200 new car parks, many of which will be underground.

“The proposal comprises 56 units over nine residential levels, with seven retail tenancies on the ground floor,” the planning report said.

“A second building will accommodate a 4,293 sqm supermarket, plus three retail tenancies.

“The integrated complex will be serviced by 217 carparking spaces, with vehicular access off Chalk and Neil Streets, plus dedicated loading and servicing facilities off Laundry Street.

“The mixed use precinct will be focused around a landscaped linear pedestrian plaza which is anchored by the reinstated gasworks brick chimney.”

Conceptual designs by architecture firm Buchan for the new Gasworks Rejuvenation project, a mixed-use residential and commercial precinct along Chalk Drive in Toowoomba City.

The project would introduce a new supermarket chain to Toowoomba, with the economic needs assessment report revealing it to be Fresh and Save that already has seven stores across Queensland.

“Fresh and Save is a new concept in food and fresh shopping and is more like a food warehouse than a supermarket but also offers fresh produce including fruit and vegetables and meat lines,” the assessment report by Urban Economics said.

“Fresh and Save markets their brand as offering customers the lowest food prices possible, saving customers money and keeping grocery bills low.”

Conceptual designs by architecture firm Buchan for the new Gasworks Rejuvenation project, a mixed-use residential and commercial precinct along Chalk Drive in Toowoomba City.

That assessment also argued the commercial elements of the Gasworks would turnover $40m in revenue by 2036, concluding it would not have adverse impacts on the immediate CBD area.

Of the existing commercial centres, Northpoint was considered to be the most impacted if the development was approved — however this potential drop in revenue was considered “not significant”.

Precinct said the Gasworks would be a “catalyst” for future development in the CBD.

“The mixed use site will be anchored by a supermarket which will bring a new retail offering to Toowoomba, by introducing a Queensland owned and operated supermarket to the region,” the report said.

“It is anticipated that the proposal will be a catalyst for other development within the PDA and inner north, it will increase investor confidence and drive other development in the city.”

Designs by the Auckland arm of major architectural firm Buchan suggest the precinct’s look was to complement notable commercial and social buildings in Toowoomba, including the City Library, Grand Central Shopping Centre and Toowoomba Grammar’s new gymnasium.

The applicant also submitted an economic needs assessment report, which concluded the

Also attached to the application were a variety of reports into heritage preservation, contamination management (due to the site’s former use), landscaping, stormwater and traffic.

The old gasworks site on Neil Street.

The project would be the first moves on the site since the old gasworks infrastructure was demolished in 2013.

Mr Hanna paid $3.96m for the one-hectare parcel in 2022, having had considerable discussions with the council over what would be an acceptable design.

The current proposal is reportedly in line with council’s desired outcome, having told potential buyers it would seriously consider accepting a mixed-use commercial development.