DHA fight still on cards
PROTESTERS against the rejected Defence Housing Australia project at Mount Lofty say they are now gearing up for a potential court battle.
The Toowoomba Regional Council overwhelmingly refused DHA’s plan to build 50 lots on the old rifle range along Martini St, with councillors voting unanimously against it at a special meeting on Wednesday.
Lawyer Jill Meibusch made an impassioned plea to councillors at the meeting, citing the unacceptable bushfire risk that existed within 500m of the development, among other issues.
A DHA spokeswoman said the Federal Government-owned entity was “disappointed” with the outcome.
“While DHA respects the decision of Toowoomba Regional Council, we are disappointed that they rejected the recommendations of its officers,” she said.
“We will continue to work with the council as we consider possible options.”
While she praised the victory, Ms Meibusch said she expected DHA would apply to the planning and environment court, given the recent history of developers getting approvals in court after being rejected by the TRC.
“I think the next step for DHA would maybe be to go to court, but what I felt and heard from the councillors yesterday was that this issue of bushfire risk has changed across Australia,” she said.
Save Mt Lofty group president Shaen Egan called on the Federal Government to officially gift the land to the council.
Mayor Paul Antonio, who praised the community for its “passion” on the matter, argued a court battle between the TRC and a governmentowned entity would be “politically unwise”.
“There’s a bit political aspect to this, so I’ll be speaking to (Groom MP) John McVeigh and everyone I need to,” he said.
Dr McVeigh said he respected the decision.