Community & Business
16 August, 2023
Westbrook identified in SEQ Regional Plan update
The Queensland Government is keeping an eye on Westbrook as it plans the development of the south-east of the state.
The draft ShapingSEQ 2023 Update is the Queensland Government’s plan to shape the future growth of South East Queensland (SEQ), encompassing 12 local government areas including the urban extent of the Toowoomba Region, which incorporates Westbrook, Wyreema, Cambooya and Hodgson Vale.
Westbrook, alongside Highfields, is identified as a Potential Future Growth Area (PFGA), meaning the area may be needed to accommodate long-term urban growth.
Westbrook is not required to accommodate the dwelling supply targets or employment planning baselines identified in the draft ShapingSEQ 2023 Update.
The intent of the PFGA designation is to protect an area’s future potential.
Elsewhere in the report, Westbrook and Drayton are designated as areas for “growth by expansion” rather than “growth by consolidation”.
This means there is an intent to deliver high quality new and more complex communities that are well-planned and serviced for Westbrook and Drayton.
“Assuming local constraints are resolved adequately, residential density and housing diversity will increase in proportion to a location’s proximity to employment opportunities, services or public transport frequency,” the draft update says.
“These places will develop as new high-quality communities.”
In addition to the current extent of Westbrook, the Draft Urban Footprint (DUF) shows the town could extend west along the northern side of Toowoomba Athol Road to the junction with Blackwell Road.
It also extends north all the way to Drayton Wellcamp Road and north-west to past E. Drews Road and Keding Road.
The route proposed as part of the Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor roughly coincides with the edge of the DUF for Westbrook.
Those who have been advocating for passenger rail to Toowoomba, which includes Toowoomba Regional Council, will be disappointed by the draft update.
It says under current analysis, high-frequency rail public transport is not warranted to Toowoomba.
“However, this will be further investigated if sufficient residential densities are achieved in the corridor.”
Across South East Queensland, the plan predicts that over the next two decades 850,000 new homes will be needed for 2.2 million new residents.
The ‘Western Gateway’ cluster around Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub at Charlton is seen as vital for the region’s economic development.
Consultation is currently underway for the draft ShapingSEQ 2023 Update.
