Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has expressed its disappointment over comments made in the media about the withdrawal of an application for a proposed subdivision in Highfields.
TRC Planning and Development Committee Portfolio Lead Cr Bill Cahill said Council had in fact been involved in a number of discussions with the developer's consultants over the application.
"It's disappointing to see the comments by a third party as our staff have been working directly with the consultants engaged by the applicant on this project," he said.
"Following the initial discussions with the consultants, Council provided the developer with eight pages of pre-lodgement notes in May 2022. This was in response to a proposal for a residential development at a density which appeared consistent with the Low Density Residential Zoning and Park Residential Precinct designation of the subject land.
"The developer subsequently lodged a development application which was more than double the density of development suggested through the pre-lodgement discussions, which was inconsistent with the prior pre-lodgement advice.
"As the application required further work, Council's Senior Planner held further discussions with the developer's consultants expressing concerns in relation to the inconsistency of the proposal with Council's Planning Scheme, and communicated the level of community concern with the inconsistency of the proposal with surrounding development form that was being expressed to Council.
"On 10 October, the applicant lodged a new development application at a density which is more consistent with the Planning Scheme intent for the subject land.
"While it's disappointing to see these comments in the media, Council remains open and willing to meet with developers and endeavours to adopt a positive, fair and equitable relationship with all stakeholders, as it has in this case."
