Community & Business
25 June, 2024
Shearing shed proposed as function venue
The old Ellangowan Woolshed could become a function facility and tourist park if Toowoomba Regional Council approves a development application submitted earlier this month.
The Material Change of Use application was submitted on 6 June 2024 by Precinct Urban Planning
on behalf of land owner EHW Holdings Pty Ltd.
Former rugby league star and Leyburn son Shane Webcke is a director of EHW Holdings, alongside his wife Allison.
It is proposed that just over five hectares of the 156 hectare site at 112 Kyle Road, Leyburn will make up the function facility and tourist park.
The property is between Toowoomba Karara Road and O’Leary Road, not far from Leyburn’s border with Ellangowan.
A planning report submitted as part of the application says the proposed Function Facility seeks to utilise an existing shearing shed for a function and events venue, which can be hired for events such as weddings, birthdays and speaking events.
“The proposed Tourist Park will utilise the surrounding undeveloped land for camping which can be utilised in conjunction with, or separately to, the Function Facility,” the report says.
“The site is currently improved only by the Shearing Shed and associated buildings and is currently utilised for grazing purposes.
“The existing buildings and structures will be retained as part of the proposed use, and the site will continue to be utilised for grazing activities.
“It is noted that the shearing shed will also continue to be utilised for shearing operations as required.”
Up to 200 guests will be accommodated at the venue and there can be up to three events a month and 30 a year.
For the function facility, the proposed operating hours are 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 2am Friday to Sunday and on public holidays.
“The proposed Tourist Park component seeks to provide a camping area to accommodate a maximum of 70 people,” the planning report says.
“This area will allow for the camping of guests attending an event at the Function Facility but will also be available to other non-function event guests outside of event times, to maximise the utilisation of the site.
“This component of the development will not involve any additional buildings or infrastructure.
“Guests required to assist with the set-up and pack-up of events as well as guests not associated with the Function Facility will be allowed to camp on the site for a maximum of three nights.
“All other guests who are associated with the Function Facility but not required for the set-up and pack-up of events will be limited to one night stays.”
The planned car park includes 62 parking spaces, and space for a bus.
An existing silo will be re-purposed as an outdoor bar.
“It is noted that the facility does not incorporate any preparation areas as all catering for events is outsourced with external caterers bringing their own facilities to site,” the report says.
Stormwater management, traffic impact assessment and traffic engineering reports were also submitted as part of the application.
Articles published online indicate the Ellangowan Woolshed has already been used as a wedding venue in the past few years.
A material change of use application was previously submitted around two and a half years ago which was later withdrawn by the applicant.
