Toowoomba subdivision in Middle Ridge approved at special council meeting despite resident backlash

A boutique subdivision slated for one of Toowoomba’s wealthiest suburbs, spearheaded by a consortium of Gold Coast businessmen, has split the council after key issues were raised. Details here.

A proposal for a new subdivision in a wealthy landlocked suburb of Toowoomba has been approved by Toowoomba Regional Council following a marathon session.

Amigo Outliers Pty Ltd’s plan for a 12-lot estate on the corner of Rowbotham and Mackenzie streets in Middle Ridge passed with a 7-3 vote at Wednesday’s special meeting, supporting the officers’ recommendation of approval.

Meeting chair councillor Bill Cahill and his colleagues Rebecca Vonhoff and Carol Taylor voted against it.

It is good news for the Gold Coast consortium pushing the subdivision, which includes Toowoomba-born accountant Brendan Collins and as well as businessmen Jeremy de Bray and Wayne Hubbard.

A layout of a 12-lot subdivision proposed by developer Amigo Outliers Pty Ltd for two parcels of land on Rowbotham Street in Middle Ridge.

The vote concluded a sitting that lasted more than two hours, as elected officials, council officers, the applicant’s town planners and residents hashed out the numerous issues surrounding the application.

Chief among the concerns of residents was the development’s impact on Middle Ridge aquifers, traffic management, the removal of trees and stormwater drainage further eroding the downstream Glen Lomond Park.

The plan for a mix of lot sizes, which was designed to try to transition between low-density residential to the north and rural residential to the south, was also criticised.

Speaking for the applicants, Precinct Urban Planning’s Jess Garratt said the developer had worked closely with residents to address key issues.

Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff. Photo Bev Lacey

But Ms Vonhoff found the proposed solutions to some of these matters unacceptable, particular relating to water, stormwater and tree management.

“This particular proposal raises enough concerns for me that I can’t support it,” she said during debate.

“My two main concerns (include) the aquifers, and to me it’s not reassurance that we say the aquifers may recharge.

“I’m (also) not satisfied that we can confidently say there won’t be increased flow rates downstream, and we can’t be confident that there won’t be adverse impacts on (Glen Lomond) park.

“This proposal today has some failings and shortcomings that makes it difficult to support.”

Colleague Tim McMahon supported the proposal, saying he was satisfied with the conditions placed on the development.

Both he and councillor Kerry Shine also spoke on the need for new housing in Toowoomba, given the city’s ongoing property and rental woes.

“We have a parcel of land on the south side of Toowoomba which is probably one of the better sites in Toowoomba,” Mr McMahon said.

“There have been some valid concerns raised today (but) this was an example of the developer and residents working together.”

345-357 Rowbotham Street in Middle Ridge.

Leafy suburb subdivision faces vote

A consortium of Gold Coast developers’ proposal for a boutique 12-lot subdivision in one of Toowoomba’s richest suburbs has been met with backlash by some residents.

The new subdivision by applicant Amigo Outliers Pty Ltd, which has been slated for land totalling 1.7 hectares on the corner of Rowbotham and Mackenzie Streets in Middle Ridge, will face a special meeting of the Toowoomba Regional Council on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the original report by Precinct Urban Planning’s Jess Garratt, the application would create 11 residential lots measuring between 968 sqm and 2600 sqm, along with a drainage lot.

A cul-de-sac would also be built off Mackenzie Street to service five of the blocks, while three living trees would be removed as well.

A 19th-century home on the land has been slated for removal as well, however it is not heritage-listed.

“The proposed subdivision will provide lot sizes which provide a transition between the larger

unsewered lots located on the escarpment to the south and east, and the sewered urban lots located to the north and west of the land,” the report said.

“It is noted that several crossover locations were modelled and the tree removal and sight distance implications of each assessed, with the proposed combined crossover being the most preferable outcome from a safety and tree removal perspective.”

The proposal has been met with objections from at least three residents, who lodged submissions against it.

Chief among the extensive list of concerns were the impacts on street trees and native fauna, the removal of the historical property, the size of the lots compared with the rural residential neighbourhood, light pollution, amenity and privacy.

Council planner Emily Hinchliffe has recommended the subdivision be approved, arguing it either complied or could be conditioned to do so.

Butlers Anderson partner Brendan Collins.

Amigo Outliers Pty Ltd is directed by Toowoomba-born Gold Coast financial planner and accountant Brendan Collins.

He has two business partners in Wayne Hubbard and Jeremy De Bray, the former of which appears to be the founder of trendy Palm Beach eating space The Collective.

Middle Ridge is one of the wealthiest suburbs in Toowoomba, with the area regularly sporting property sales above $1m.

The land parcel in question was sold to the developers in September last year for more than $2.6m.