Toowoomba subdivision, childcare centre planned for land in growing area of Meringandan West

Residents living in a fast-growing area in the Toowoomba region could soon have their first designated childcare centre, as part of a new subdivision being proposed.

A new 199-lot subdivision and childcare centre has been proposed for a parcel of land at Meringandan West, northwest of Toowoomba.

A growing community northwest of Toowoomba could soon be home to hundreds more families and a new childcare centre, as part of a developer’s plans.

Applicant Dobell Developments Pty Ltd, which is owned by Gold Coast man Doug Lomas, submitted plans to the Toowoomba Regional Council to create a new housing estate with 190 lots, along with a childcare facility for 94 kids and 17 staff at Meringandan West.

The subdivision would be broken up into six stages, with the new centre in the southwest corner.

According to the planning report by Place Design Group, the estate will feature lots ranging from 500 to 900 sqm, along with significant public landscaping.

“The subdivision’s most significant landscaping feature is the green spine formation,” the report said.

“The location of the green spine has been influenced by the existing site conditions.

“Further to this, the overland flow path is integrated into the green spine which provides parkland amenity to the subject site as well as functionality of moving water within the development.”

The report said the new childcare facility would feature a number of outdoor and indoor play areas, along with 29 carparking spaces.

Meringandan West is a fast-growing area near Highfields but does not have a designated childcare centre currently open.

The application also included a number of other reports, including documents focusing on traffic impacts.