By Ros Burton (Principal – The Real Estate People)
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to escape to the Sunshine Coast (finally) for a much-needed break.
While there, I was able to catch up with some friends who own a beautiful house backing onto a canal and inevitably our conversation turned to the local real estate market.
From all reports it’s booming; and as we drove home and saw the many new developments popping up around the area, I’d have to agree.
Without a doubt, the massive University Hospital precinct around Birtinya/Kawana has been a huge catalyst in the explosion of the area.
Critical infrastructure brings jobs, the staff filling these jobs need accommodation and communities instantly grow as a result. As the population increases, so do services and industry, shopping centres are needed, parklands and leisure facilities follow as well.
It’s great urban progression and everyone benefits.
You’re probably thinking: “Yeah, but that’s the coast, it’s different here in Toowoomba”.
Is it?
Don’t forget, we have our very own Birtinya in waiting. Darling Downs Health is producing a business case for a new Toowoomba Hospital to be built and that’s extremely exciting news for us all, – especially for the suburbs of Rockville, Wilsonton Heights and Cranley.
Pending government approval (UPDATE BELOW), the hospital will stand on the old Baillie Henderson site and this will bring huge gentrification to the area.
As I said, jobs bring people to fill the roles – professional people. So, whether they’re buying or renting in the area, they’ll want a certain level of accommodation.
This means quality homes will be in high demand and extensive renovations will begin transforming neighbourhoods. Knock downs and new builds may become common.
I’m certainly looking forward to the turning of that first sod for the new hospital.
Not only will it be the green light for more world-class health care in Toowoomba, it will also signal a new era of metamorphous for the north western corner of our great city.
Project Update:
The new $1.3 billion Toowoomba Hospital (announced as part of the 2022/23 State Budget) will be constructed over five years and is expected to open in the second half of 2027.
The vision for the Baillie Henderson Hospital campus will be an unrivalled health and knowledge precinct experience, centred around the new Toowoomba Hospital. The strikingly beautiful 75-hectare campus includes tree-lined spaces interconnected between heritage buildings, multidisciplinary health services, research, education, commercial, and community recreation spaces.
When completed, the Toowoomba Hospital will deliver new and expanded health care services to the region to cater to its growing population.
Construction of the new hospital will deliver around 3127 construction jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy.