Council split over land

Company’s request to use TRC-owned parcel causes massive rift

THE decision to allow a transport company to use a parcel of land in Pittsworth to turn trucks around has split the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Cr James O’Shea caused a huge rift during the council’s ordinary meeting with his motion to let the TRC enter into a lease agreement with a Pittsworth transport company, allowing them to use councilowned land to turn trucks around on Leslie St.

The proposal, brought forward in June last year by applicant Russell Keeley, was rejected at the time.

Cr O’Shea argued the move would support a small business in Pittsworth by allowing him to use the land legally.

But Deputy Mayor Carol Taylor savaged the proposal, saying it would push large trucks through the town’s CBD.

“We have B-doubles entering and exiting across a footpath in the centre of Pittsworth,” she said.

“This is a backwards step for the people of Pittsworth.”

Cr Taylor instead suggested that the company move to the upcoming $4.9 million industrial precinct that is being created by the TRC.

“The Pittsworth community, the silent majority, do not support this when there is another alternative at very little cost,” she summarised.

The alternative was to erect bollards to prevent the trucks from using the land, forcing trucks to use the main street to turn.

“I can’t imagine how the alternative is safer,” Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said in favour of the motion.

“In the interests of being able to support the existing business, having something in the short term so we can move him out the industrial park, is a win-win, dare I say it.”

Cr Taylor, Cr Nancy Sommerfield and Cr Mike Williams voted against it.