Toowoomba Regional Council is embarking on a Local Housing Action Plan project to review current and future housing needs across the region.
Council Place (Planning) portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Tim McMahon said Council had recognised that as the region’s population continues to grow, a greater supply of housing and increased housing type choice for residents is needed.Â
“Council recognises its role in responding to the housing crisis and undertaking a Local Housing Action Plan,” said Cr McMahon.
“This plan will ultimately allow Council to identify potential actions and opportunities to address a range of immediate, emerging and longer-term housing and infrastructure challenges in both the urban and regional areas of the Region.
“We will collaborate with the Queensland State Government in the development of the plan and are asking for community feedback to ensure the need and wants of the community are considered.
“As our population grows and changes, we need to adapt and increase the different types of homes available to suit the needs of our changing community, ensuring there is a home for everyone.”
By engaging with the community and targeted industry stakeholders, the Local Housing Action Plan will help Council to encourage increased housing density in the right areas, said Cr McMahon.
“By encouraging affordable and diverse options in our neighbourhoods, we can improve the overall pipeline of housing delivery in the region,” he said.
“We want to focus on the long-term affordability and sustainability of housing types for the needs, means and values of our community members in Toowoomba Region.”
Council is asking the community to consider what factors influence their housing wants and needs, now and into the future, with residents encouraged to share their thoughts from Monday, 18 November to Friday, 13 December by visiting Council’s Your Say website.
“Information received throughout the consultation may help to shape and inform Council’s key documents including the new Planning Scheme, Local Government Infrastructure Plan, and a range of other strategic planning projects and activities of Council.”
“By incorporating community values and housing need information to these frameworks, the information will be used to assist Council to make targeted decisions for our community over the coming years,” said Cr McMahon.
