Herald 20221025

Council works with not-for-profit
company on housing options
Toowoomba Regional Council
will work with not-for-profit
community housing provider
Brisbane Housing Company to
deliver new social and affordable
housing accommodation options
in a multi-storey development
planned for Station Street in
Toowoomba.
The council resolved to dispose
a portion of the Station
Street car park by selling the
freehold title at market value to
BHC at its confidential special
meeting on September 28.
TRC Planning and Development
Committee chair Cr Megan
O’Hara Sullivan said BHC’s
proposal was to develop new social
and affordable units on the
south-east portion of the site.
“We are pleased to partner
with BHC, which has a proven
record of delivering this type
of accommodation,” Cr O’Hara
Sullivan said.
“The council has been devising
ways to address the acute
shortage of rental accommodation,
especially for the social
and affordable housing sector,
that is representative of the tight
housing and rental market across
Australia.
“The council is positive that
the proposed Station Street development
will offer a greater
variety of well designed housing
options that are close to transport,
schools, recreation areas,
retail and service hubs.
“The council will look for
ways to re-invest the proceeds
from the sale of the Station
Street land into car parking or
similar improvements across the
CBD.
The Station Street car park is
rarely above 60 per cent capacity
on most days.
“Private investors have shown
their confidence in this part of the
Station Street multi-story apartment complex - Concept art
CBD through recent multi-storey
development applications,
including the construction of the
Bernoth development fronting
Mylne Street.
“There is great potential for
additional revitalisation of this
area of the CBD with easy connections
to the historic and recently
upgraded Russell Street
retail area in addition to easy
access to the Railway Parklands
area.
“The Railway Parklands earlier
this year received a $25
million funding injection from
the State and Commonwealth
Governments through the City
Deal agreement (this also incorporates
the Council of Mayors
South East Queensland, of which
Toowoomba is a member.)
“The council’s work to prepare
a new Planning Scheme,
under the Toowoomba Region
Futures banner, is planning for
growth over the next 30 years
to ensure there is more choice in
housing type and location.”
BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers
said BHC welcomed the council’s
resolution to progress the
project which aims to deliver
rental homes in close proximity
to the city’s centre.
“The proposed development
will offer a balanced mix of long
term social, affordable and market
rentals, ensuring residents in
housing need can stay connected
to their local area and continue
to live, work and thrive as part
of the vibrant Toowoomba community,”
she said.
“BHC looks forward to continuing
to work with Toowoomba
Regional Council to progress
the plans for this development
and assist in addressing local
housing need.”
The confidential report outlined
options for other projects
at Council-owned land in Annand
Street and Neil Street.
Master plan for Clara May Smythe Park
Toowoomba Regional Council
is planning to develop a master
plan for Clara May Smythe
Park in Highfields this financial
year.
Environment and Community
Services Portfolio Leader
Cr Tim McMahon said the aim
of the project was to encourage
people of all ages and abilities to
visit and stay longer at the park.
“Potential improvements may
include new features such as a
playground, picnic facilities,
walking and cycling paths and
landscaping,” Cr McMahon
said.
“We’d love to know how park
users think the park can be improved
and there’s a couple of
ways feedback can be provided.
“Due to the size of the park,
the council has determined that
Clara May Smythe Park is not
80th birthday
Fay Frith (nee Spies) celebrated
her 80th birthday with close
family and friends at Highfields
Tavern. Fay enjoys good
health and remains actively
involved on the family farm at
Meringandan which is now operated
by the sixth generation.
a suitable location for a new
DOLA, dog off leash area.
“When you have parks with
playground equipment and other
facilities it’s important to have
enough buffering between these
activities, the properties adjacent
to the park and the DOLA
fencing.
“While we don’t think this
park is a suitable location,
we know there is a need for a
DOLA in the north-western side
of Highfields which is why we
want to find out if you have any
alternative locations or suggestions
through this survey.
“All feedback from this consultation
will be used to guide
the development of a draft master
plan for the park.”
Provide your feedback
through an online survey via
yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/.
• For further information
about this project, please phone
Council on 131 872 or email
yoursay@tr.qld.gov.au.
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HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - OCTOBER 25, 2022 - 7