Bogey on new facility

Residents to oppose Toowoomba Golf Club’s retirement village

THE Toowoomba Golf Club is facing a community backlash against its plan to build a 78unit retirement village in the heart of Middle Ridge.

Ahead of its impending decision on the $30 million facility, the Toowoomba Regional Council has received submissions from at least 17 residents against the proposal, including a petition.

Lead petitioners Tony and Mandy Mott wrote that the facility, a joint venture between the club and three other developers, was a “dramatic” change of use compared with the rest of Middle Ridge.

“We understand that the golf club has to make some changes to remain viable, (but) we believe there are other options which could be contained with the golf course area that would have a lot less negative impact on the surrounding area,” they wrote.

A second petition has been circulating across the neighbourhood, which outlined issues with the scale of it and impacts on vegetation and transport.

“The size and scale of this development is not permitted in Middle Ridge under the current Toowoomba planning scheme,” the letter wrote.

“However, council and developers are determined to push this development through regardless.

“It will set a precedent for developers and open the rest of Middle Ridge, including rural residential areas, to be developed for large scale, multi-storey residential developments.”

Golf club general manager Johnathon Zirkler said he respected the views of the opposing residents, but denied the proposed facility would have negative impacts on transport.

“There is always going to be concern, (but) it might be that they don’t have as much researched information,” he said.

“They will be over-50s, so they’re much more relaxed than families.”

The issue is likely to front a special meeting soon.