Retail, childcare centre proposed

HIGHFIELDS could potentially get another childcare centre, with a proposal for a 75-place facility and small shopping precinct being considered by the Toowoomba Regional Council.

The centre, which would be based on Polzin Rd, was first lodged with the council in June as a Preliminary Approval Area and is now in the community consultation stage.

Residents in Highfields have already noticed the signage up at the site, with some on Facebook amazed at the sheer number of childcare centres potentially coming to the suburb.

“Another childcare centre? Why?” one resident posted.

The project by developer David Lethbridge is one of at least three different childcare centres being considered by the council right now, and the proposed site is within a few kilometres of four other existing kindergartens and facilities.

In its report to the council, Property Projects Australia said the proposal fitted with the local planning code, adding the centre would be complemented by retail and non-retail opportunities on the same block of land.

“To support the proposed scale of the retail floor space, the Preliminary Approval Area would benefit from the inclusion of a small supermarket (i.e. not a full line supermarket) to anchor the local centre,” the report said.

Retail space has been allocated in the submitted plans for a supermarket and food and drink outlet, while the non-retail space could be used for childcare, health care or indoor sport.