Fernleigh gets mothballed

Developer puts project on hold for 10 years; blames council’s planning department

DEVELOPER Ian Knox is mothballing the massive Fernleigh housing project near Westbrook, laying the blame at the feet of Toowoomba Regional Council’s planning department.

In a letter to Mayor Paul Antonio on Thursday, Mr Knox said that since the Fernleigh team had met with him and senior council staff on

April 7 to discuss a 500-lot proposal, he had heard nothing.

The proposal comes off the back of the council cutting back the original development from 1500 lots, approving just 400 in August last year.

The Fernleigh team appealed that decision in the Planning and Environment Court before abandoning the case in February.

In the letter to Cr Antonio, Mr Knox said the 500-lot proposal would use the current capacity in the council networks, “at no cost to council”, and Fernleigh would pay $28,500 per lot in infrastructure fees, totalling $14.25m.

“That to me was an obvious win/win for council/Westbrook community and Fernleigh,” Mr Knox wrote.

“We have heard nothing back from you or anyone else for that matter.

“We are now left with (the) unenviable decision to mothball the Fernleigh Masterplan for 10 years.

“Disappointing as it seems, no one to date can tell me why this amazing project can be thwarted by council officers within your planning department.”

In his letter, Mr Knox said the project would bring to the table a number of benefits for Westbrook – namely a new Catholic and state school, and a Coles supermarket to service the development, alongside medical and dental and child care services.

Toowoomba Regional Council planning and development portfolio chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said Fernleigh’s decision was disappointing.

“It is important to note that the Fernleigh development was proposed on rural-zoned land outside the area which has been prioritised by council for the provision of critical urban infrastructure,” she said.

“With any development application, we need to reflect State Government policy that is aimed at preventing urban sprawl which adds considerable costs to the provision of infrastructure.

“Council walks a fine line where it must balance the broader interests of all ratepayers and our whole community, while supporting the development industry, and ensuring the sustainable growth and management of the region.”

matthew.newton@thechronicle.com.au