Leafy estate in progress

Middle Ridge to get boutique subdivision

TOOWOOMBA is getting another inner-city subdivision, with plans lodged for a boutique housing estate in a leafy suburb south of the CBD.

Toowoomba-born Gold Coast developer Brendan Collins put forward a proposal late last month to the council to turn a 1.7ha site, made up of two parcels off Mackenzie St in Middle Ridge, into 11 residential lots and a drainage reserve.

The irregularly-shaped site, that fronts both Mackenzie and Rowbotham streets, curlarge rently has a house on it, which is expected to be removed.

According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning, the new subdivision would create a cul-de-sac off Mackenzie St.

“The lots range in size from 968sq m to 2652sq m in response to the constraints and characteristics of the subject land and the suburban locality in which it is located,” the report said.

“The proposed subdivision will provide lot sizes which provide a transition between the larger unsewered lots located on the escarpment to the south and east, and the sewered urban lots located to the north and west of the land.

“All existing improvements and structures on the site will be removed or relocated to clear the proposed new boundaries.”

According to the report, attempts would be made to retain existing trees that are of community significance.

“The stand of native vegetation along Rowbotham Street provides significant amenity and ecological benefits to the local area and the applicant is keenly aware of the community’s desire to retain these trees.,” the report said.

Extra reports were also submitted relating to landscaping, engineering and stormwater management.

The proposal comes amid a huge demand for new lots in Toowoomba, which is being fuelled by migration from capital cities as well as government incentives to stimulate the construction sector.

Toowoomba developers Rob and Cathy Weymouth, who started work on their 41-lot subdivision in Middle Ridge a matter of weeks ago, said virtually all parcels had been sold through organic inquiries alone.

The Toowoomba Regional Council’s planning department says nearly 1000 lots are in the development pipeline, including 333 under assessment and another 341 being built.

Several voices in the development industry have called on the council to expand its priority infrastructure area, including Wagner Corporation’s Denis Wagner.