Scheme could cost $1m Tait agrees that review is needed
A NEW planning scheme for the Toowoomba region could cost $1 million and take two years to complete.
That’s according to planning and development committee chair Cr Chris Tait, who admitted the current scheme from 2012 was showing its age and needed a review.
Cr Tait said creating a new plan was a time-consuming process, since it would require consultation with residents and property developers as well as perusal from the State Government.
“It’s got to go through a whole public consultation process,” he said.
“It would take two years and we have to budget for it because they have (been able) to cost $1 million, so it’s a very significant investment.
“We’re starting to move towards that now but I can’t say what will be budgeted for (in 2018-19).
“It’s time for a review and I acknowledge that.”
The comments come after the council approved a raft of minor amendments to the planning scheme, including the re-zoning of five properties on Hill St in Toowoomba City from “mixed-use” to “low-medium density”.
Some of the changes were flagged back in 2016.
“Today it relates to Hill St – there were some areas that were considered mixed use, and they’re going back to a low-density zone,” Cr Tait said.
“We think that it’s (currently) inconsistent with the general character of that area – all the other properties in Hill St are zoned residential.
“There is a whole lot of other stuff included (in the amendment), but the main thrust of it relates to that particular area around Laurel Bank Park.”
‘‘ IT WOULD TAKE TWO YEARS (TO COMPLETE) AND WE WOULD HAVE TO BUDGET FOR IT. CR CHRIS TAIT
Cr Tait said more changes would be presented to the council at next week’s ordinary meeting, including a “temporary local planning instrument” that would restrict the amount of dual-occupancy dwellings that can be built on a street.