Opportunities for construction apprenticeships in Toowoomba could soon increase if a new housing development is given the go ahead.
Toowoomba Regional Council is still yet to approve the project at Freyling Park, which would expand the number of housing options on offer to local people.
A development application has already been lodged with the council, but a final decision has yet to be made.
Councillor Bill Cahill, chair of the Urban Design and Placemaking Panel, explained that the plot would include 63 lots and a 2.6-hectare district park to be used by residents.
This will involve a considerable undertaking by the construction industry, potentially leading to more jobs being created in the region as a result.
It recently emerged that employment opportunities are on the rise in Queensland, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing that in October, more than 4,000 jobs were created across the state.
This provided a stark contrast to the rest of the country where employment levels have struggled, with the only other exception being Western Australia.
Queensland currently has a target of reaching just four per cent unemployment within six years, which it seems well on track to meet in light of these latest statistics.
Councillor Cahill continued: “Fundamental to the project’s success will be the need to work closely with industry and community representatives in developing new small lot housing designs suitable for this region.
“Local factors like history, landscape, climate and seasons, lifestyle, local building materials, and culture will play an important role in ensuring the success of this development.”
Local people are being asked to put forward their feedback by January next year, and a number of public open days are scheduled for them to air their views.
The councillor stated that the development is expected to create a viable alternative that will suit approximately 62 per cent of households in the region that currently contain just one or two people.
Before the project is given the green light, the council is proposing that a new Small Lot Housing Code should be put into place, which will help regulate residential land development in Toowoomba.
This will make sure that practical issues are given consideration before the properties are constructed, by taking aspects into account such as the position of the buildings to ensure they can make the most of available sunlight.
