Council controversy this year
We recap some of the big TRC moments in ‘18
THE matters in front of the Toowoomba Regional Council are not always without controversy, and 2018 featured proposals and decisions that caused discussion and conflict among the community.
While some were highlydiscussed projects that inspired a grassroots resistance, like the Middle Ridge Golf retirement resort, others were highly contentious between the councillors themselves.
Here are five of the highlights, in no particular order.
1. Proposed servo
IN A saga that would stretch into next year, developer Marakech Pty Ltd proposed a new service station and car wash on the New England Hwy in Crows Nest in April.
The project caused outcry from residents, who questioned environmental impacts of the servo on the nearby creek system and potential contamination of the land.
More than 30 people submitted against it, and the council hit Marakech Pty Ltd with 16 “outstanding issues” to fix, relating to flooding and water quality concerns.
The developer asked for a seven-month extension in October to address the issues, meaning this matter is far from over.
2. Golf Club development
ONE of the leafier parts of Toowoomba became a suburban battleground this year after the Toowoomba Golf Club laid out plans for a $30 million retirement village on its land in Middle Ridge.
Councillors voted unanimously in August to approve the 78-unit facility on Rowbotham St, a move that one resident said “makes a mockery of the planning scheme.”
More than 50 residents opposed the development, citing issues around traffic and planning scheme precedence.
The retirement village was lodged with the council in March, but the idea was floated to club members beforehand as a way to secure the organisation’s future.
3. Mt Lofty estate conflict
IN terms of size, scope, opposition and timelines, nothing on this list is bigger than the Defence Housing Australia estate proposed for Mt Lofty.
The 342-lot housing development off Rifle Range Rd has been discussed, planned and argued over since 2016, but wasn’t lodged with the council until earlier this year.
DHA claimed it has spent more than 600 hours engaging with the community before and after lodgement.
It also submitted a 39-page response to issues the council had with the project.
But residents in the community of Mt Lofty still have concerns with tree-clearing, traffic impacts and storm-water mitigation.
The matter is likely to come to the council chambers within months.
4. Prison work camp
PRISONERS escaping on the Inland Rail? It was a real argument put forward by protesters of a new prison work camp in Charlton.
The council project, designed to create work for lowsecurity criminals, was approved by the councillors in April.
Landholders’ chief concerns were around the work camp’s proximity to a local clay target club, and also that prisoners who escaped could hitch a ride on the upcoming inland rail.
Councillors voted 9-2 in favour of the proposal, which was touted as helping prisoners who were ready to re-enter society.
5. Mayor blows up over tourism body
IT WAS the issue that caused Mayor Paul Antonio to blow up in the chambers.
The council voted to sign up to John Wagner’s jump-start Tourism Darling Downs in February, at the cost of $10,000.
During the meeting, Cr Bill Cahill was critical of what he called a lack of performance indicators in the justification of the officer’s recommendation.
Cr Antonio snapped back with a furious tirade against councillors, arguing the group deserved the TRC’s support.
“For those who are concerned about the justification of spending, there is another process for that - it’s called audits and if anyone wants to make any complaints (they can) go through that,” he said with a raised voice.
Cr Cahill was the only councillor to vote against the motion.
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