Toowoomba social housing projects planned for Rockville, Glenvale with Qld government

Toowoomba’s housing market could receive a dramatic boost as developers seek state approval for 196 new social dwellings across two sites. How they could wipe clean an entire demographic from the registry.

Developers Peter Lee and Robin Hodge have lodged plans with the state government for two duplex social housing projects in Glenvale and Rockville.

Nearly 200 new social and affordable dwellings could be added to Toowoomba’s stressed housing supply through the advancement of two new projects on either ends of the city.

Developers Robin Hodge and Peter Lee have lodged plans recently with the Department of State Development for two different duplex proposals in Glenvale and Rockville.

The developments do not need council approval.

Developers Peter Lee and Robin Hodge have lodged plans with the state government for a duplex social housing project in Glenvale.

If approved through the Queensland Government’s ministerial infrastructure designation process, the two projects would create 196 new houses for people over 55 on the public housing register.

Both planned social housing estates sit close to major projects that are currently under construction.

The set of 54 duplexes on 3.36 hectares off Glenvale Road shares a boundary with Dean Gallagher’s planned Glenvale Town Centre, which will include a full-sized Woolworths supermarket.

Developers Peter Lee and Robin Hodge have lodged plans with the state government for a duplex social housing project in Rockville.

Likewise, the 43 planned dual-occupancy homes based on 3.17 hectares between Vanity and Mort Streets in Rockville are not far from the upcoming new Toowoomba Hospital at Baillie Henderson.

The most recent data from the state government’s social housing register shows the two projects have the potential to nearly clear all singles and couples aged over-55 from the wait list in the Toowoomba region.

Developers Peter Lee and Robin Hodge have lodged plans with the state government for a duplex social housing project in Rockville.

As of March, there were 216 people in that demographic with active applications for low-cost housing, out of the 1850 in total.

According to the MID planning report for Glenvale, which shares similarities to its counterpart in Rockville, the project is aimed at creating “fit-for-purpose” housing that resembled the surrounding areas.

“The proposed one and two bedroom product is fit-for-purpose for the target cohort, which is typically a one-two person household,” the report said.

“Within the local context, the proposal will provide increased housing choice.

Robin Hodge. Photo: Bev Lacey / The Chronicle

“Minimal variations in the proposed dwelling typology provides significant cost efficiency.

“To achieve this, and at the same time avoid creating an avoiding an overly homogeneous cluster of dwellings, variation in roof forms, materials and colours and extensive street tree plantings is proposed.”

The MID process is separate to the council’s standard development approval pathway, and has been used by schools, charities and other groups to fast-track projects the state government wants to see.

Given the TRC’s current approach to dual-occupancy dwellings, where only a certain number can be allocated per development, such projects would be unlikely to be approved without the help of the state government.

As much as 350 dwellings for social housing are currently in the pipeline across Toowoomba through a variety of MID-approved projects, while the Salvation Army just recently finished work on a 23-unit development in the CBD.

Submissions have closed on the Glenvale proposal, however they are open for the Rockville project until October 28.