TRC progressing Central Highfields planning

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is progressing work on its Central Highfields Master Plan project.

TRC Economic Development portfolio spokesperson Cr Edwina Farquhar said Council was committed to achieving the shared community vision for creating an expanded CBD at Highfields to meet growing population demands, provide local employment and create commercial buildings and spaces for businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Highfields and surrounding areas are a significant growth front, and our ongoing work on the Central Highfields Master Plan offers an important and historic chance to create a desirable city centre for the future citizens and visitors to Highfields,” Cr Farquhar said.

“Council has been undertaking substantial infrastructure works involving service relocations, the installation of new water and sewer infrastructure, and an upgrade to the Kratzke and O’Brien Roads intersection. This formative work will serve the growing population and development in Highfields.

“The works are needed to accommodate new roundabouts, road connections, shared paths and cycleways planned for Central Highfields, as identified in the Central Highfields Master Plan.

“Council recently undertook a positive market sounding with developers who have a proven record on this scale of development. The developers’ feedback was to simplify the process for future development of the planned CBD and ensure the parkland is planned and delivered early.

“This discussion was undertaken in line with a previous resolution of Council and indicated there is very strong interest from investors and developers to advance 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. Community infrastructure may include a mixture of recreation and event spaces.

“In line with community feedback, a tree survey and environmental report are being undertaken to ensure the environmental values of the bushland area and existing vegetation are understood to enable the most sensitive location of any community infrastructure.

“Council will update the Master Plan aligning with market sounding feedback and the latest environmental information.

“Public consultation will be arranged when the Master Plan has been drafted before its formal endorsement by Council later this year.

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