Planning & Development Committee recommends adoption of Planning Scheme amendment

Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) Planning and Development Committee today recommended the adoption of a Planning Scheme amendment that sets guidelines around the design and location of medium density housing across the Toowoomba Region.

The Committee recommendation will be considered for adoption at next Tuesday’s (November 19) November Ordinary Meeting of Council.

TRC Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Chris Tait said the recommendation marked the final step in the formal adoption of Amendment No.16 to the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme.

Cr Tait said Council had undertaken a comprehensive review into the locations best suited to medium density developments and new policy guidelines for good design principles.

“The Toowoomba Region’s lifestyle attributes are among our most appealing features and Council has responded to community feedback to preserve and enhance the best aspects of our neighbourhoods,” Cr Tait said.

“This includes broader requirements to provide for a wider range of housing types across our urban areas.

“The demand for greater housing choice is driven by demographic changes as well as for those existing residents who wish to down-size.

“Council has drawn on community feedback to devise a plan that clearly outlines changes to design requirements that will deliver developments that are not only more attractive places in which to live, but blend better with the streetscape and have appropriate privacy features.

“It is preferable for medium density development to be located in areas with good access to retail activities, employment opportunities and high-quality parks.”