Council can’t make decision on Fernleigh
THE Toowoomba Regional Council hasn’t made a decision on the approval of the massive Fernleigh housing estate in Westbrook, because it actually can’t.
Planning and development chair Cr Chris Tait said yesterday the 1500-lot development by Hallmark Properties couldn’t be assessed by the council until it was ticked off by the State Government.
The comments come after development manager Geoff Kath confirmed it had submitted the application in July last year, and was carrying out its public notifications right now.
But Cr Tait said a few state departments needed to examine the project first.
“It’s on statutory public notification right now, and that will conclude in about a decision until the State Government endorses it or issues their response.”
The project, which will be rolled out across several stages once approved by the council, enjoyed a boost in August when the State Government expanded Westbrook’s urban footprint in the South-East Queensland Regional Plan.
Cr Tait said the development might not be in front of the council until early next year.
“We have time limits on us after that, as to when we have to assess it,” he said.
“We’re also waiting on them to respond to say they’ve completed their statutory public notification.”