Toowoomba Regional Council grants extension to long-awaited milk factory near Wellcamp Airport

The applicant for a massive milk product factory in Toowoomba’s main industrial sector has been approved for an extension to the development by the council.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has approved an extension to a development application for a massive milk factory. Pic Cranitch.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has granted an extension to an approved application for a major milk factory just west of the city.

Toowoomba Premium Milk proposed the concept back in 2016 for a massive facility at the Wellcamp Business Park, just metres from the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport runway.

It was subsequently approved by the council in 2017, with the applicant required to have substantially started the $50 million first stage by 2021.

But TPM applied to council in November for a four-year extension to the approval period, citing difficult economic decisions as to why the factory had not been started.

Submitted plans for a milk factory in Toowoomba's western suburbs.

“Prevailing economic conditions have precluded the commercially viable development of the approved project for an extended period,” the letter to council officers said.

“In particular, this has related to the sourcing of finance and finalisation of end supplier agreements.

“The applicant has re-evaluated their development options and has decided to proceed with the development based on an improved economic conditions and market confidence.”

TRC planning officer agreed an extension should be given, but only allowed it for two years until 2023.

In her assessment report, she cited a variety of factors behind the reduced extension, including that two years the potential for planning law to change within that time.

“The approval was given four years ago, and laws and policies can considerably change over an additional four years, (and) it is reasonable for the applicant to commence the use within two years,” she wrote.

“Should further time be needed to commence the use, the applicant may make an application to extend the currency period for a further two years, allowing an assessment of relevant matters, including the laws and policies, at that time.”

It is believed the company will process a variety of milk-based products at the site once fully-constructed, most notably baby formula.