Unknown future for massive subdivision west of Toowoomba

THE future of a massive 1500-lot subdivision proposed for western Toowoomba is now in doubt, after the project’s developers moved to cancel it.

A basic layout of Fernleigh estate in Westbrook, which could be approved soon by the Toowoomba Regional Council.

THE future of a massive 1500-lot subdivision proposed for western Toowoomba is now in doubt, after the project’s developers moved to cancel the approval.

Fernleigh, slated for a large parcel of land north of the Westbrook community, west of Drayton, was originally proposed as a mastered-planned development to cater for increased residential demand in the area.

But the council approved a reduced-size subdivision of 400 lots in August, which development manager Geoff Kath described as “crude and unworkable”.

Fernleigh developers took issue with the amount of infrastructure requirements and the lack of approved commercial land.

After originally submitting an appeal with the planning and environment court to change it, Mr Kath confirmed the developer had submitted an application to cancel the approval.

“We’ve discontinued the court proceedings,” he told The Chronicle.

“We can’t work with the approval that was given to us.

“The infrastructure requirements are too onerous and it’s unviable.

“We are incredibly frustrated and disappointed with this process.”

The development was set for several years in court before the developer pulled the appeal.

Mr Kath said the masterplanned community was in line with the council’s vision for the area, and the project’s land was added as urban footprint by the Queensland Government in its Southeast Queensland Regional Plan in 2017.

NOT HAPPY: Fernleigh development manager Geoff Kath has taken aim at the Toowoomba Regional Council's planning department, after the massive proposed Westbrook housing estate was hacked into an "unworkable" model.

But he said the developer would continue negotiating with the council’s officers to hopefully reach an outcome it found suitable.

“If they’re willing to give us something that’s viable and we can work with, then we will put a new application in,” Mr Kath said.

“At this stage, those negotiations have not stopped and we will continue to see if we can work out an outcome that is satisfactory and viable.

“We would’ve preferred to have the full Fernleigh approval, because it was an appropriate master plan that was in keeping with what the council was seeking and setting up (in terms of) framework for Westbrook.

“We appreciate the support that the previous councillors gave us — they were fine to deal with.”

TRC planning and development chair Stewart Somers said the council was open to further discussions with the developer.

“Throughout the entire assessment and appeal process, the council has engaged and worked with the appellant to seek to negotiate terms in the best interests of the community,” he said.

“The council walks a fine line where it must balance the wider interests of all ratepayers and our community as a whole, while supporting the development industry, and ensuring the sustainable growth and management of the region.

“It is important to note that this development was proposed on rural-zoned land outside of the area which has been prioritised by the council for the provision of trunk infrastructure.

“Accordingly, some responsibility for the cost of provision of some infrastructure legally rests with the developer rather than ratepayers.”