Deputy Premier can’t help
Petition against servo shot down by Trad
DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has poured cold water over plans by Highfields residents to block the building over a highly-controversial service station.
More than 400 people signed a petition presented to Mrs Trad last month, asking her to use her ministerial powers to ‘call in’ the development after it was approved the Planning and Environment Court.
However, the Deputy Premier said there was no basis in law for her to do anything about the outcome.
“While I acknowledge the concerns about the development relating to the lack of a reticulated sewerage system in the area and potential changes to the site zoning, I am unable to exercise ministerial call in powers in this case,” she wrote in a letter on Thursday.
“Firstly, there are no provisions under SPA that enable me to give a proposed call in notice after a decision is made by the Planning and Environment Court.
“Secondly, pursuant to section 424 of SPA, I may only call in a development application if the development involves a state interest and if I issue a proposed call in notice by a specified date.”
The news is a blow to residents trying to block the proposed service station and 7-Eleven on Cawdor St, which was defeated unanimously by the Toowoomba Regional Council.
However, head petitioner Sandra Whybird said the council failed to fight for the residents in court, which allowed Judge Michael Rackemann to rule in favour of developer Bluepoint Property.
“Specifically, at a full public council meeting, the mayor and all councillors unanimously voted against this application,” she wrote.
“Despite council’s decision, it decided not to defend their resolution at the Planning and Environment Court when the developer appealed.”
The main concern of residents was the lack of services in the area, particularly reticulated sewerage systems.