RESIDENTS DIVIDED OVER DHA PLAN
DHA hears concerns over estate plans
DEVELOPERS behind a controversial housing estate earmarked for Mt Lofty have addressed concerns with nearby residents in the first community consultation session.
Traffic impacts, loss of trees and the effect on housing prices boiled to the fore at the Defence Housing Australia’s information session on Saturday.
DHA senior development manager Rob Winters said concerns would be factored in to the masterplan before it was put to public notice.
He said the number of housing lots was yet to be determined, shooting down the suggestion DHA was refusing to release information publicly.
“We’re very early in the consulting process,” he said.
“We hope over the next year to talk regularly with the community, understand their concerns and work together to develop a masterplan that is collaborative.
“With respect to the number of trees on site, I’d much prefer to talk about the opportunity of expansion of Jubilee Park and the fact DHA is not intending to develop the whole site.
“In fact, a significant portion of the site, we hope in consultation with council, will be handed over to the Toowoomba Regional Council.
Nearby resident Herman Jolink said the estate was the best of five possible options for the land.
He said the land would be used for either park lands, a commercial high-rise development, industrial park, a refugee camp or a housing estate, and branded the latter the preferable option.
“We have to look at this 100 years from now, what will be here?” he said.
“This will create jobs and give security and it will make property prices go up in the future.”
Plans would not be lodged until early next year, with a final decision due late 2018.
Marcus O’Dempsey told developers Kate St must be upgraded first, and serious consideration given to increased traffic flows.
Protester Chris Meibusch said: “I would like to see as much land as possible given by DHA to council for the expansion of Jubilee Park.”