Council says expansion of Priority Infrastructure Area under way

A veteran developer has renewed his calls for council action after it was revealed his delayed residential development could impact on the State’s plans for a school in Westbrook.

The Fernleigh residential project was announced in July 2016. Pictured at the time were (from left) Fernleigh project manager Tim Colthup, Fernleigh manager Heath Knox and Fernleigh development manager Geoff Kath.

Hallmark Property Group Director Ian Knox has blamed the council for delays to his Westbrook development, in an open letter to the State’s Education Minister.

Earlier this month, Education Minister Grace Grace said the delay of a major residential development in Westbrook could impact on the demand for a new school, which residents in the area said was desperately needed.

Last year, Mr Knox mothballed his planned 1500-lot Fernleigh estate at Westbrook, after only receiving partial approvement from the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Sitting outside of the council’s Priority Infrastructure Area, the provision of critical urban infrastructure for the project was the main point of contention.

In his letter to the Education Minister, Mr Knox renewed his calls for expansion of the Priority Infrastructure Area to include Fernleigh.

“New primary and secondary state schools are crucial to service the education needs of Toowoomba, particularly Toowoomba West,” Mr Knox said in the letter.

“While we have placed our development on hold due to lack of support and necessary development approvals, it is our sincere wish and desire that the council includes this land within the PIA to enable Fernleigh to proceed.

“The ability to do so rests entirely with council, who must end their policy of constraining development by withholding any expansion of the PIA.”

TRC Planning and Development Committee chair Megan O’Hara Sullivan said there had been many factors at play with Fernleigh.

“We’re not trying to stymie development, we’re just trying to make sure (the city) grows in a sustainable way so, as a council, we are financially responsible for how much we are committing the ratepayers to pay for,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“We are increasing the PIA at the moment and, as part of developing the planning scheme, we are seeking input from all stakeholders.

“We need input about where growth is happening and sustainable so we don’t have one big, rampant urban sprawl.

“Another thing is the people who are standing in line with their land inside the PIA, how would they feel about having land approved outside of the PIA when they have been patiently waiting?”

She also noted that Mr Knox had withdrawn even though partial approval was granted.