Council rejects DHA Mount Lofty development

IN A dramatic late afternoon sitting, the Toowoomba Regional Council has rejected DHA’s application for a Mount Lofty housing estate

Concerned residents (from left) Pascale Egan, Peter Strickland, Janet Meibusch, Thomas Coyne, Shaen Egan and Allan Bruce before a TRC meeting to decide the future of the DHA Mount Lofty development, Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

PROTESTERS against the controversial Defence Housing Australia development in Mount Lofty are celebrating after the Toowoomba Regional Council voted to reject the project on Wednesday.

Capping off a marathon special meeting that stretched long into the afternoon, councillors voted to refuse DHA's plan to build 50 vacant lots on the old rifle range along Martini St.

It came more than six months after the Federal Government-funded company decided to scrap its original proposal for more than 340 lots, spread down the edge of the Toowoomba escarpment.

The development was first proposed publicly in 2017, with the introduction causing an immediate backlash.

TRC major projects senior planner Sophie Spencer recommended the council approve the project, saying it generally complied with the council's planning scheme requirements.

She said conditions could be imposed to ensure the development posed no greater bushfire risk.

But speaking for the protesters against the plan, Jill Meibusch said all the properties were within 500m of bushfire hazard areas.

"We hope that you won't be remembered as the council that voted for DHA to develop 50 lots in a bushfire area," she said.

"Councillors should ask themselves why they should be putting residents at any further risk."

Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald moved a new motion to reject the development, citing the "unacceptable" risk it posed to residents who might move in.

The vote was carried unanimously.