YWCA lodges plans with Qld government for new 16-unit social, affordable housing project in East Toowoomba
A new set of social and affordable dwellings could be coming to one of Toowoomba’s richest suburbs, after it was lodged with the state government for approval.
Development
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A national community housing provider has outlined plans for a three-storey social accommodation development in one of Toowoomba’s leafiest suburbs.
The YWCA has submitted an application for a ministerial infrastructure designation for a 16-unit social and affordable housing project behind Gowrie House on the corner of Arthur and Mary streets in East Toowoomba.
The 9.6m development, which has been in the works for several years, would replace an existing set of 15 social housing units owned by the YWCA that were “no longer fit for purpose”.
According to the environmental assessment report by town planning firm Urbis, the development would feature 13 one-bedroom dwellings, three two-bedroom apartments, 13 car parks and 19 bicycle spaces.
“The proposed development will replace these with 16 new residential apartments specifically tailored for the needs of future residents,” the report said.
“The new apartment building has been strategically designed to respect the existing heritage-listed Gowrie House and proposes minor but necessary works to internal walls and the enclosed sunroom to reinstate bathroom facilities and address building condition.”
Urbis argued the new units would not only increase the number of available social dwellings but also deliver better outcomes for potential participants, who will be “women and gender-diverse people seeking safe housing options”.
“The proposal will improve the current facilities by providing fit-for-purpose rooms that appropriately cater to residents,” it said.
“The provision of social and affordable housing caters to the growing needs of the local and wider community and provides much-needed stock to service the growing population.
“The works will also create additional local jobs, stimulating the local economy, including local construction and supply companies which will be engaged to undertake the works.”
Traffic and heritage impact reports were also submitted with the main lodgement.
The application is currently available for public feedback, with pre-lodgement responses indicating resistance from some neighbouring residents.
In a submission to Urbis, nearby property owners Nicholas and Renee Hill objected to the proposal on the basis of “crime, amenity, streetscape and heritage impact”, arguing the site was known to police already.
“As a direct neighbour, we can attest to many additional incidents of unreported anti-social behaviour occurring onsite affecting the quiet enjoyment of my home,” the submission said.
“High crime rates and anti-social behaviour are a product of concentrated disadvantage, where a large number of vulnerable/high-needs people with little housing choice live in proximity to one another.
“As per numerous research papers, policies and guidelines, development of the site should be seen as an opportunity to diversify housing and social mix to reduce concentrations of disadvantage and improve social housing and neighbourhood amenity.”
The Hills also supplied a map of crime data from the Queensland Police Service for the site, which showed 83 offences in the vicinity of the existing units (News Corp’s own research showed 77).
Fellow neighbours Damon and Sarah Venter said the three-storey height would “detrimentally impact surrounding homes and families” through the loss of amenity and privacy.
The YWCA is the latest social services organisation to use the MID process to secure a housing project, following current and prior efforts by Mission Australia, St Vincent de Paul’s and the Salvation Army.
Additionally, housing developer BHC in February got approval to move ahead with a 75-unit build-to-rent project on Station St in the Toowoomba CBD.
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