TRC endorses strategy to progress Central Highfields development

Toowoomba Regional Council’s July Ordinary Meeting today (July 19) endorsed the strategy that will guide the future staged sale of its land holding at Central Highfields.

The strategy seeks to create an expanded CBD at Highfields to meet growing population demands, provide local employment and create commercial buildings and spaces for businesses and entrepreneurs.

The strategy of staged development allows Council to manage the process in a timely manner to ensure development takes place, avoids land banking and provides a positive financial return for the community.

Toowoomba Region Mayor and Economic Development Committee chair Cr Paul Antonio said it was expected that development would start on the first stages in the next two years.

He said Council could now advance its strategy to promote and engage with developers, investors and other private sector entities over the first two stages of development to provide retail and health care facilities at the site to the east of O’Brien Road.

“Development of the site will be staged to reflect the Central Highfields Master Plan and the Structure Plan that were adopted following extensive community consultation,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Having brought the initial proposal to Council, I am pleased to see we are moving to deliver plans that were informed by community responses, and which will lead to the development of retail outlets (including supermarkets and specialty shops), mixed uses such as office, commercial spaces, health care and medical facilities, plus appropriate forms of residential development.

“Staged development will also see the development of a Main Street and open space for recreation and community events.

“Council will also be developing a parkland as reflected in the Central Highfields Structure Plan. This parkland is approximately 6 hectares of the land holding of 19.69 hectares, reflecting the commitment to create an expanded CBD that expresses Highfields’ character.

“To implement the strategy, Council will look to engage a highly experienced and qualified Project Director to work with the private sector and Council to manage the staged development of the Council-owned land.

“The Master Plan provides a blueprint that ensures future development, across community, commercial and residential sectors, aligns with stated community expectations.

“We are working to ensure Highfields’ evolution is well planned and delivers a range of suitable social, cultural and community infrastructure.

“Council is determined to realise the broad community vison for the future of Highfields. We know population forecasts show Highfields could be home to an additional 7000 people in the next 10 to 15 years.

“Any proposed development will be subject to Council’s normal land use planning regulations under the Toowoomba Planning Scheme.

“Council underlined its commitment to this process by purchasing almost 20 hectares of land in the central Highfields area in 2017.”