Toowoomba Regional Council announces proposal for new water treatment facility at Westbrook
Some 33,000 lots will soon be unlocked in an area of Toowoomba region set for major growth after the announcement of a new water treatment plant.
Development
Don't miss out on the headlines from Development. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tens of thousands of future homes and businesses will soon be possible for the ever-expanding Toowoomba region as plans for a new water treatment plant in Westbrook are made official.
Toowoomba deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff said the new treatment plant will allow for the expansion of the region’s housing and population.
“It will unlock 33,000 lots for development and will facilitate the diversification of industry and business,” she said.
Ms Vonhoff said the plant would also reduce the load on the existing plant at Mt Kynoch and delay the need for further upgrades.
“The real benefit we will be catering for with this project is projected population growth,” she said.
“That means we’re able to develop lots for housing and provide opportunities for industry and business to flourish.”
Water and waste general manager Jaek Passier said the facility at Westbrook would unlock development for Fernleigh and surrounding areas.
It comes as developer Ian Knox recently resurrected plans for a massive housing estate outside Toowoomba.
The project, which became mired in controversy between council and developers, would see the construction of a massive 1500-lot master planned community in Westbrook.
Ms Vonhoff made the announcement at the launch of the Four Communities water supply project which will see a treated water pipeline built to connect the communities of Greenmount, Cambooya, Clifton and Nobby.
The centrepiece of the Four Communities project is a new water treatment plant to be built at Greenmount with construction due to begin next year.
Mayor Geoff McDonald said the project would “secure the futures of the four towns and be a catalyst for further growth”.
“We’re creating a lifeline to these towns that will have a major impact on their future development and viability.
“The project is a vote of confidence in our region and potentially the start of big things for our southern areas,” he said.
The state government has provided $15m of funding for the Greenmount water treatment plant.
The pipeline is expected to be completed in 2027 to align with the completion of the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline and the Greenmount water treatment plant.
$1.2bn in works: 17 projects coming to Toowoomba in 2025
In what is expected to be another bumper year for the city’s development industry, more than $1bn worth of works are set to be completed or significantly advanced in 2025.
Top council bureaucrat departs amid major leadership shake-up
Just weeks after Toowoomba council’s chief executive announced the end of his tenure, another top bureaucrat is leaving the organisation for another region.
‘Above and beyond’: Massive over-50s project planned for growth area
More than 400 new homes for older residents could become a reality if a new retirement village is built in a high-growth area just outside Toowoomba.
‘No plans’: Heritage bank closures addressed
A major Toowoomba financial institution has responded to fears redundancies and changing trading hours would lead to regional branch closures in towns west of the city. Here’s what we know:
‘Zero odour’: $15m Darling Downs wagyu feedlot plan approved
A revamped plan for a new “high value” Wagyu cattle feedlot outside Toowoomba has been approved by the council, with its owner promising “zero odour” problems for neighbours.
$12m windfall: Why city can’t let ‘world-class’ Olympic equestrian venue slip
A planned Toowoomba equestrian venue that is being considered for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics could inject millions every year into the city’s economy and fast-track generations of young talent to sporting greatness.