Rage over unit plans

RESIDENTS living near a set of approved units in a small town west of Toowoomba have threatened to launch community action to stop the development.

Nearly 40 Pittsworth locals voiced their opposition to the Toowoomba Regional Council’s approval of four twobedroom units on Forest Street, not far from the main strip in town.

Councillors voted unanimously at Wednesday’s special meeting to approve the units, which are believed to be the first of their kind in Pittsworth.

The land on the corner of Forest and Grand Streets is technically zoned as community facilities, but council planners noted this was a carry-over from when a neighbouring church owned the site before it was subdivided.

According to council planner Katrina Christenson, developer and applicant James Prendergast aimed for the units to cater for seniors and retirees.

“The applicant has identified that the development will be targeted at occupants of an older age bracket due to the development being designed as ‘affordable, low-maintenance and secure and … within walking distance to recreation and community facilities and services’,” she said.

Ms Christensen recommended the development be approved, arguing it met the performance outcomes of the planning scheme.

But neighbouring resident Stephen Johnson, who spoke on behalf of the 37 submitters against the project, said they planned to fight the units being built.

Mr Johnson said the development did not match the streetscape, and would contribute negatively to an area he said was “tidy and presentable”.

“We are not against development, but it has to be the right one — we are not Brisbane or a large regional town, we are a small country area,” he said.

“The council’s own development plan states that the development should fit in with the surrounding area, I don’t see how a four-unit building fits in with only single-dwelling houses.

“If this development proceeds, we are planning to hold a town meeting to look at what we can do – we are totally committed to stopping this development.”

Precinct Urban Planning’s James Williams said the 800 sqm was ideal due to its proximity to Pittsworth’s shops and other community facilities.

No councillor voted against the development once it reached a vote.