Toowoomba social housing project by St Vincent de Paul Society in Newtown lodged with Qld Government

More social housing is coming to Toowoomba, with one of Queensland’s biggest charities choosing a fast-tracked application process to try to get a 27-unit project approved sooner.

One of Queensland’s biggest charities has laid out plans for another 27 social housing dwellings, with the project the latest to take advantage of a fast-tracked approval process.

St Vincent de Paul Society has lodged a proposal for new low-cost housing on the corner of Tor and Hill streets in Newtown, including units specifically designed for families.

The project will include 19 one-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units and two four-bedroom dwellings.

Vinnies will bypass the Toowoomba Regional Council to secure approvals by applying for a ministerial infrastructure designation (MID) through Queensland’s Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.

Concept art for a new 27-unit social housing project on Hill Street in Newtown, Toowoomba by St Vincent de Paul Society, which has been lodged with the Queensland government.

It will be third social housing project either lodged or approved through the MID process in Toowoomba in recent memory.

The Salvation Army has started construction on its own project on Snell St in Toowoomba City, while Mission Australia has started the process for a major development near Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre in Newtown.

Ms Scanlon said she was pleased to see more charities and not-for-profits taking advantage of the state approval process.

“We’re partnering with faith-based organisations to boost our social housing BigBuild and deliver more homes, faster,” she said.

“Through the MID process, we’re able to streamline the approvals needed for large social and affordable developments across the state, to get shovels in the ground faster.”

Concept art for a new 27-unit social housing project on Hill Street in Newtown, Toowoomba by St Vincent de Paul Society, which has been lodged with the Queensland government.

Consultation is now open on the Vinnies project, which can be submitted by heading the MID portal website.

Vinnies has already laid out its plans past the Hill St development, with regional president Peter Cavanagh outlining ambitious plans for its popular South Toowoomba op-shop.

The charity is investigating building a larger multistorey unit development on the site, along with a new clothing shop and space for the Vinnies’ local administration team.

Vinnies plans to build 500 new social housing dwellings throughout Queensland over the next five years, with South Toowoomba expected to form part of that total.

“The development has been in the assessment stage for some time, but forms part of Vinnies strategic plan for the future,” Mr Cavanagh said.