GOLF COURSE ACES PLANS
TRC approves $30m village; residents unhappy
THE future of the Toowoomba Golf Club has been secured after a massive retirement village project reaching up to four storeys high was approved in Middle Ridge.
Councillors voted unanimously yesterday to give the $30 million proposal the go-ahead, despite more than 50 submissions against it.
Some neighbours say they will consider legal action against it. Club general manager Johnathon Zirkler said the organisation would’ve entered financial difficulty without the approval of the 78-unit village.
THE Toowoomba Golf Club is celebrating after a controversial retirement village proposal designed to secure its longterm viability was given the green light by the council.
Councillors voted unanimously yesterday to approve the 78-unit facility on Rowbotham St in Middle Ridge, a move that one resident said “made a mockery of the planning scheme.”
The club will partner with village operators Blue Sky to deliver the $30 million proposal, which will be built next to the club house in the northern corner of the course.
Golf club general manager Johnathon Zirkler said the golf club’s viability relied on the approval of the village.
“It certainly would’ve required making some hard choices in the future, so at all stages it would’ve been a discussion point (without an approval),” he said.
Blue Sky development manager Mark Hosking said construction would start within six months.
More than 50 residents opposed the development, citing its conflict with the council’s planning scheme, impacts on neighbours and the clearing of trees.
Rowbotham St resident Greg Gola said the approval of four-storey units near a rural residential zone would offer problems to the council in the future.
“If you can put four-storey buildings here, you can them anywhere in Toowoomba,” he said.
This was disputed by development services manager Danielle Fitzpatrick.
Tony and Mandy Mott, who will live just 10 metres from dozens of new neighbours, said they were considering legal action.