Tight-knit and tight fit
New figures reveal Centenary Heights tops city’s packed suburbs
HEATH Knox lives in the most densely-packed suburb in Toowoomba – but it doesn’t feel that way to him.
The Centenary Heights residents was surprised to learn his neck of the woods had the highest density out of any suburb in the city, according to new data compiled by ID Community.
More than 20 people per hectare live in the well-established suburb, ahead of other highly-developed areas like Wilsonton Heights (18.88 people) and Newtown (17.55 people). But Mr Knox, who has lived on Sardon St for more than a decade, said at no point had he felt cramped in at Centenary Heights.
“I am actually quite surprised. I wouldn’t have put it at that at all,” he said.
“It’s the proximity to town (that I like) and it’s a matured community. It is peaceful, there are some nice quality houses.”
Older suburbs like East Toowoomba or Rangeville featured lower overall density either because it included sections of the escarpment or larger parklands.
Professor of regional community development at the University of Southern Queensland Jim Cavaye said population density depended on a number of factors.
“The biggest issues are always infrastructure services. Hospitals, schools, and other services like aged care services, as well as employment opportunities,” he said.
“Sustainable density is really down to the services and infrastructure that can be provided and also the lifestyle that people lead.
“You’ve got people in Manhattan who don’t own a car, they walk to work and they love it.
“When we talk about sustainable, it’s also the inclusive and functional communities.”
He also acknowledged that many Toowoomba residents were feeling threatened by increased density in suburbs, but argued it was an important part of a growing community.
“There’s no doubt that older suburbs are starting to infill, which is a natural process,” he said.
“It’s a natural progression that as the community grows, there will be people who want to live in the downtown area and also to be part of the funky lifestyle and the alley culture that Toowoomba has.
“But when you have just blocks of flats all through suburbs where it’s not in keeping, you start to create a situation where it’s not liveable.”