Proposed truck stop at Helidon Spa still on the market after five years

Almost five years ago a development application was approved for a major service centre in the Lockyer Valley, designed to be more modern than the existing Plainland centre. Here’s why it’s sat on the market so long.

Plans outlining a $2.3 million truck stop at Helidon have now lapsed their approval period, after the Lockyer Valley Regional Council made the decision in 2019.

The development concept plans for a service centre in the Lockyer Valley region remain on the market five years after approval.

In 2019 Lockyer Valley Regional Council approved development plans for a major service centre to be built on the Warrego Highway at Helidon Spa.

Currently on the market for an eye-watering $2.3m, the plan includes three drive-through facilities and an internal eatery.

Plans outlining a $2.3 million truck stop at Helidon have now lapsed their approval period, after the Lockyer Valley Regional Council made the decision in 2019.

The original developer is said to have pulled out before construction could begin, with the project listed on the market before a sod turning had occurred.

When the Gatton Star spoke with the development’s then listing agent in 2020, the fallout of the global pandemic was said to be the cause of a lack of buyer interest at the time.

In the almost five years since the development was approved, the Lockyer Valley region has seen the completion of multiple competitor outlets including the Mobil the service station at Plainland, which also features a drive through Coffee Club.

The development’s current listing agent Ray White Commercial Toowoomba principal Paul Schmidt-Lee said it has been eight months since a serious buyer had shown interest.

Mr Schmidt-Lee said two of the overarching factors that seemed to be deterring buyers were the location of the development site and that the DA had now lapsed.

When asked by the Gatton Star if the recent developments at Plainland had an effect on buyer interest, Mr Schmidt-Lee said the increasing stop gap at Plainland could also explain the lack of interest.

The full listing can be found on Ray White Toowoomba’s website.

Originally published as Proposed truck stop at Helidon Spa still on the market after five years