UPDATE: Council considered submissions to Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme Amendment No.16 on 20 June 2019. Download a copy of the Council report and the Response to submissions report. |
An overview
Most people in our region live in a dwelling of some sort – and these come in all shapes and sizes. Some people live in smaller homes like a unit, townhouse, apartment or a house on a small lot.
Some of the ways we regulate the location and design, and consult with the community of these forms of housing (let’s refer to them as medium density housing) have raised community concern. We've listened and investigated ways to do things better and in 2016 we sought your views on a proposed new approach.
Council considered the feedback that was received in 2016 (450 submissions were received during the consultation) and made changes in response to some of the comments.
It was clear from the feedback that many Toowoomba residents are concerned about the potential for medium density housing to be built in their street and that many other Toowoomba residents wish to build and others live in medium density housing.
Council believes that the new approach strikes an appropriate balance.
Details on the issues raised in feedback and how Council has responded are available in the project information section to the right of the screen.
The Planning Scheme Amendment
Applying this new approach requires that the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme be amended.
The planning scheme identifies which types of development require Council approval and the standards that new development must meet.
The planning scheme amendment proposes changes that affect:
Where different forms of medium density housing would be supported and not supported by Council;
How medium density housing is designed; and
When the community is consulted on development applications for medium density housing.
Community consultation and public exhibition of the amendment has closed. Submissions received through this process have been reviewed and responded to, and on 20 June 2019 Council decided to progress the amendment to the State Government. The final amendment will be adopted by Council following State Government review and approval.
You can view the details in several different ways:
1. The Explanatory Statement provides a general overview of the amendment, including why it’s been proposed;
2. The Mapping Tool identifies the zoning changes being proposed. There are two types of zoning change being proposed. You can read the Information Series 2 in the Project Information section to the right of the screen to find out what they mean. Note: The changes made for parts of Oakey and Harristown are not represented in the Mapping Tool. Refer for Schedule 2 Mapping below.
3. If you’re into the detail you can read the formal Planning Scheme Amendment Document (this is the legal document that identifies all of the changes being proposed); and
4. Click on each part of the planning scheme that is proposed to change to see how it will be different:
Schedule 7 - Approved Plans of Development
Providing Feedback
Community consultation has closed.
On 13 September 2019, the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning issued approval for Council to adopt Planning Scheme Amendment No. 16 - Medium Density Residential Development in residential areas. Council will consider adopting the proposed amendment at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 19 November 2019 with the amendment likely coming into effect on 29 November 2019.
Further Information
To find out more about the proposed amendment:
- phone 131 872 to speak to a Planner
- email info@tr.qld.gov.au to ask a question or request additional information
- read the information sheets (see project information to the right of the screen)
Share your thoughts about the proposed changes to unit development and the designated areas.
