WHEN Geoff Booth took his Junction Gated Community Project for North Ipswich to market in 2021, he was swamped by buyers and sold 90 per cent of the 118 villas and town houses in a matter of months.
He said the interest revealed that buyers wanted to invest in affordable housing projects that were in central city locations and the Railway Workshops land was an ideal site.
His enthusiasm for building his first major project in Ipswich, however, soon turned to frustration as the Ipswich Council continually delayed his approvals.
“I don’t know whether they are just short-staffed or that they are just swamped with applications, but I never felt getting us out of the ground was a priority for the council staff,” he said.
“I know I am putting my head on the chopping block by saying this because I have other projects to put through Ipswich Council, but I am speaking out for not just myself, but also for other frustrated developers.
“Council should be aware that their reputation for holding projects back is one of the worst in Queensland and that many developers are now shying away from doing projects here.
“I understand that developers have to adhere to correct procedures, but when council asks for amendments they should not take 20 days or more every time to be reviewed before they come back to you.”
Local builders PPS are now on site on the old railway land that runs alongside North Street and expect to have the first stage of the project completed by October. An estimated 400 people are expected to take up residence at the Junction which is just a short walk or push bike ride to the CBD and Riverlink Shopping Centre.
Mr Booth already has plans for a second 91 terrace lots development on the vacant land on the top side
of the Railway Workshops and this is currently going through approval processes.
He has a long waiting list of buyers for those units despite the fact they have yet to go on the market.
