General News
10 August, 2026
Stealing our thunder
A new development at Torrington, 'Clifton, Toowoomba,' has locals worried that the luxury, residential estate for the over 55s will steal the thunder, and the much needed exposure, our little country town needs.
The issue was initially raised by Clifton resident Greg Woodward who emailed Mayor Geoff McDonald inquiring into how a luxury estate in Toowoomba city came to have the same name as a town in the Toowoomba Region.
The Mayor referred Greg’s concerns onto CEO of Toowoomba Regional Council, Sal Petroccitto, who said that council had little do to with the naming of private enterprises.
“I would like to acknowledge the concerns and frustrations that you have expressed and I completely appreciate why members of the Clifton community feel strongly about the use of the Clifton name and the potential for confusion,” Mr Petroccitto acknowledged.
“Council recognises the value of that identity and appreciates why many residents are concerned about protecting the distinct character and recognition of the township,” he said.
Mr Petroccitto suggested Greg ought to take it up with “Clifton Health”.
We can confirm that ‘Clifton, Toowoomba,’ has absolutely no affiliation with Clifton Community Health Services.
But despite the lack of clarity from Council, residents are rightfully concerned.
Clifton Lifestyle is the group developing ‘Clifton, Toowoomba’, founded and run by Kenny Phillips and Richard Volpethe.
The group has similar luxury, estates for over 55s in Yamba, Victor Harbour, Old Bar, Taree and soon, Toowoomba.
Laws around the copying of business names wouldn’t allow ‘Clifton, Toowoomba’ to be named as such if Clifton was a business.
If it were misleading for the consumer, or trying to imitate a government body affiliated with Clifton, Clifton Lifestyle would have a legal problem.
But while there is no legal precedence, one has to wonder if there should be.
In the world as it is today, image and exposure are everything.
This is why Greg initially raised the issue.
“My concern was never about opposing the development,” he said.
“It was simply about protecting the identity of our town.
“I then contacted Clifton Lifestyle directly. They explained that ‘Clifton’ is their national company brand and ‘Toowoomba’ identifies the regional market.
“They also confirmed that there was no disrespect towards the Clifton community intended.”
“While I appreciate both Council and Clifton Lifestyle responding openly, many local residents feel disappointed that the
name of our historic township is being used for a development located elsewhere, in the same Council area,” Greg told The Clifton Courier.
Jodie Crollick, owner of the Clifton Post Office and President of the Clifton Chamber of Commerce was also concerned
Jodie is also concerned about the potential for the development to obfuscate attention from our small town.
“The matter at hand is how our town is represented, how people locate Clifton online, and how misleading naming practices are creating real world misunderstandings,” she said.
One concern is the exposure Clifton now has on a basic Google search.
“Part of the problem stems from how Clifton appears in online searches.
“When people simply google ‘Clifton’, the first result is usually a Clifton in New South Wales.
“That’s why locals and visitors often search ‘Clifton, Toowoomba’, to ensure they find the correct town.”
“This means that people trying to find our town, or information about projects such as the Clifton health precinct, are being unintentionally diverted to a development in Toowoomba.”
She references section 18 of Australian Consumer Law , arguing that the name of the development is indeed misleading.
“Under Section 18 of Australian Consumer Law, businesses must not engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive.”
“The use of the Clifton name in this context, particularly when it redirects people away from our township and towards a development in another locality, raises legitimate concerns about misleading representation.
“The Chamber will be formally raising this matter with the relevant parties, seeking a respectful and practical resolution that protects Clifton’s identity and ensure our town remains visible,” Jodie said.
Clifton Lifestyle did not respond to an opportunity to comment.
The concern for many in Clifton is another waypoint on a long road to being forgotten.
This once million-bushel-town, like all of regional Australia, is doing it tough.
But this is not an isolated moment.
This town faces the real possibility of fading into obscurity.
All of the memories and lives woven into the black soil as much as the grains we grow, threaten to fade with this place.
For Cliftonites old and new, this is not some far off possibility, but something we can see happening before our eyes.
So no wonder disappointment is expressed when, in our main regional centre, which is currently being lauded for its booming population and investment, a development with our name, in our region, is being built without community consultation.
But Cr Bill Cahill, is neutral but optimistic.
“Any exposure is good exposure,” he said.
He emphasises that with the Four Communities Water Project, things are looking good for Clifton.
Cr Cahill said this exposure could indirectly help the town.
But he doesn’t see it as falling within Council's jurisdiction.
“We’re more focused on if the planning application has been properly done,” Cr Cahill said.
The Clifton Lifestyle development is, at this stage going to continue as ‘Clifton, Toowoomba.’
