Wyreema’s Bracknell Lodge wedding venue owners approved for new indoor horse arena south of Toowoomba

The owners of one of the Toowoomba region’s top wedding venues have been given the green light for a new indoor horse and equestrian arena not far from its function facility.

The owners of popular Darling Downs wedding venue Bracknell Lodge have been approved to build a new indoor horse arena on land south of the function facility.

Rick and Rebecca Knudsen’s proposal for a 250-person indoor equestrian centre off Rosenberger Road in Wyreema was approved at a special council meeting on Wednesday.

Along with the 5600 sqm arena, the additions to the 60-hectare parcel include a toilet block and new camping area for 100 people.

It is understood horse-based events will not run past three days, with manure created by the animals transported off-site at the end of every event day.

Rick and Bek Knudsen own Bracknell Lodge, a picturesque wedding and events venue in Wyreema.

According to Precinct Urban Planning, which acted on behalf of the applicants, no changes have been proposed for Bracknell Lodge and only one use (functions or horse events) will run at the precinct at any one time.

Associated approvals with the wedding venue, including short-term accommodation and a beauty salon, have also been retained with the lodgement.

The approval by council comes two and a half years after the project was first lodged, way back in late 2020.

“If approved, this will be a unique facility for the broader Toowoomba region as well as Wyreema,” Precinct Urban Planning’s Paul Kelly told councillors.

“This has been a long assessment process, and one of the things I wanted to point out is the application was lodged in December 2020.”

While no councillors opposed the project, questions were raised about noise, dust complaints, sensitive receptors and the length of events.

Neighbouring landholders lodged two submissions, only one of which opposed the development.

Complaints included odour and noise management, with the responding council officer noting six versions of the noise impact assessment report were produced before it could be endorsed.

According to venue’s website, Bracknell Lodge started life as a pony stud and dairy farm before it was retrofitted to host weddings and other events.

“Sixty-seven years ago a young schoolboy planted two tiny pine trees on the property,” the website said.

“Today these two large stunning trees decorated in fairly lights, provide a stunning wedding backdrop.”