Toowoomba council backs Charlton sports precinct designation

Toowoomba Regional Council’s Planning and Development Committee has backed a Local Government Infrastructure Designation for the Toowoomba Regional Sports Precinct at Charlton, with councillors recommending Council make and adopt LGID 01/2026 for land at 10648 Toowoomba Connection Road, 85 Gowrie Junction Road and Warrego Highway.

The designation assessment says the site covers 144.1816 hectares across 16 separate titles. It is intended to support a multi-sport hub with training and competition fields, shared amenities, internal road and transport infrastructure, parking, open space areas and operational facilities.

The report says the LGID would establish precinct-wide land use and activity rights for the sports precinct and support its staged delivery under the Planning Act 2016. It also says development carried out under the designation would not need development approval under local planning instruments, although other approvals and legislative obligations would still apply.

The committee heard the application was lodged in August 2022. Public consultation ran from 25 August 2022 to 21 September 2022 through public notices, on-site signage, Council channels and notices to interested parties.

One properly made submission opposing the development in its form at that time was received.

The assessment also addresses land assembly and site conditions. Not all land needed for the full precinct has been secured. The report notes Council had already authorised negotiation for property acquisition and, if needed, use of powers under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967 for compulsory acquisition.

The site is described as predominantly vacant undeveloped land, with some small structures in the south-western corner and a rural residential setup along the eastern boundary fronting Gowrie Junction Road. A historic rail corridor also crosses the site and is managed by DTMR.

Environmental and engineering requirements are built into the proposal. The report identifies the need to retain significant habitat trees where possible, keep the northern waterway corridor, complete further ecological field assessments in the northern part of the land before works there, and carry out works in accordance with geotechnical recommendations.

Recycled water from the Wetalla Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is proposed for irrigation, subject to legislative requirements. The report also says the precinct is intended to respond to a shortfall in regional sporting facilities and function as a long-term, adaptable sporting hub for the Toowoomba region.

The committee’s recommendation was later adopted by full Council on 21 April 2026. Councillors voted 9-1, with Councillor Melissa Taylor against and the rest in favour.