Defence Housing Australia (DHA) lodged a Development Application (DA) with Council today for the development of 344 residential lots, sized from 400m2 to 2400m2, on a 52-hectare section of the former rifle range site at Mount Lofty.
With the necessary approvals in place, DHA would commence staged construction, starting with civil works in late 2019, and the first homes would be complete in early 2021.
Typically, DHA retains 10 per cent to 30 per cent of developed land for Defence members and their families, with the majority of land being made available to the public to purchase and build their own homes.
Fifty-eight neighbours had a preview of the Mount Lofty masterplan when they dropped in to chat with the planning and design team at DHA’s third community information day, held onsite at Mount Lofty on Saturday 26 May 2018.
‘We can all be proud of this really significant project milestone,’ DHA Senior Development Manager, Rob Winters said.
‘Our team engaged with the local community for 15 months, as we developed our masterplan for the project.'
‘It was important to us that the local community saw the masterplan before lodgement with Council.'
‘The information day was a great experience. As I stood within our display board gallery chatting to our neighbours, I was humbled by the commitment of these people to the journey we’ve taken together.’
Mr Winters said DHA would let the local community know when they have an update on the Council assessment.
‘Until then, people can visit www.mountloftytoowoomba.com.au for a full copy of the DA, technical reports and masterplan, and they can also register to receive regular updates,’ Mr Winters said.
Council will manage the DA assessment, and some reports may be referred to state and federal agencies for comment or approval.
The masterplan was previewed at a meeting of the Community Reference Group (CRG) before the broader community information day.
CRG members acknowledged DHA’s consultative approach to planning and development at Mount Lofty, and expressed their appreciation that the project team had considered community feedback in the masterplan design.
CRG member and Mount Lofty resident for over 20 years, Carol Cox, was congratulatory in her praise.
‘The consultation process has been excellent in my view’, Ms Cox said. ‘I’m delighted DHA has listened to the views of the local community. I am unaware of any other developer who has done this in Toowoomba.'
‘It should be standard best practice for all developments as it gives an opportunity for a two way flow of information with benefits to all concerned’, Ms Cox went on to say. ‘I’m pleased that DHA is the developer in our part of Mount Lofty.'
Mr Winters said DHA was pleased to conclude the planning phase of the project and lodge the DA.
‘We have an extraordinary opportunity to deliver a peerless development’, Mr Winters said. ‘We look forward to ongoing talks with Council about the detail in our experts’ reports, and about the financially responsible delivery of infrastructure.'
‘As the product of collaboration between industry and the community, the masterplan will achieve a superior development outcome because the people who already call Mount Lofty home have participated in designing its future.'
Please stay in touch - you can contact DHA community engagement consultants, CPR Group, on 1800 100 204, at projects@cprgroup.com.au and register for updates at
https://www.mountloftytoowoomba.com.au/.
About the Mount Lofty residential project
DHA lodged a Development Application with Toowoomba Regional Council in June 2018 for the development of a 344 lot masterplanned community on a section of the former rifle range site at Mount Lofty. DHA plans to deliver a sustainable, contemporary residential community for Defence members and their families, as well as local families, with the majority of land lots to be made available for public purchase when developed.
DHA intends to make a contribution of land to the Toowoomba community for a major expansion of Jubilee Park, which adjoins the site to the east. Visit:
https://www.mountloftytoowoomba.com.au/
About DHA’s role as a developer
DHA is an award-winning developer committed to creating healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities. Born just over 30 years ago out of a need to create a better lifestyle for Defence families, today we have evolved to build communities for all Australians. Visit: www.dha.gov.au/development
For further information and media enquiries:
Local Contact
Michelle Connelly, CPR Group
Tel: 0402 255 011
Email: projects@cprgroup.com.au
DHA Contact
DHA Media Unit
Tel: 0421 040 098
Email: media@dha.gov.au