Broome Crescent will be extended to the west to provide access to a nine-lot subdivision.
By Catherine Watson
WONTHAGGI is overlooked when it comes to councillors’ concerns about the environment, according to objectors to a nine-lot subdivision in South Wonthaggi.
They expressed their disappointment after councillors took only a few minutes at Wednesday’s council meeting to approve the application at 158 Reed Crescent.
The 2.2ha property is zoned Low Density Residential and has a Design and Development Overlay requiring residential blocks be at least 2000sqm. Despite the address, access will be via an extension to Broome Crescent on a currently unused section of road reserve.
WONTHAGGI is overlooked when it comes to councillors’ concerns about the environment, according to objectors to a nine-lot subdivision in South Wonthaggi.
They expressed their disappointment after councillors took only a few minutes at Wednesday’s council meeting to approve the application at 158 Reed Crescent.
The 2.2ha property is zoned Low Density Residential and has a Design and Development Overlay requiring residential blocks be at least 2000sqm. Despite the address, access will be via an extension to Broome Crescent on a currently unused section of road reserve.
The road reserve is currently licensed to three adjoining landowners for grazing. The licences will be cancelled and the developer will be responsible for widening and sealing the road from the intersection with Brown Street.
The application drew 17 objections with concerns expressed about the impact on wildlife and the Rifle Range wetlands, the strain on sewerage and road infrastructure and access to the properties.
The application drew 17 objections with concerns expressed about the impact on wildlife and the Rifle Range wetlands, the strain on sewerage and road infrastructure and access to the properties.
Broome Crescent, the western end: eyesore or wildlife haven? The main concern was about the potential for flooding. The developer is required to submit an approved stormwater management strategy including a retardation basin. Stormwater will be directed to the Reed Crescent drains which flow into the Rifle Range wetlands.
Council officers had recommended the permit be approved and it passed unanimously with minimal comment. Cr Jon Temby was absent and Cr Morgan declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in the discussion.
Objectors who attended the meeting later expressed their disappointment at the summary manner in which councillors had dismissed their concerns.
“We thought the permit was likely to go through,” said Robyn Arianrhod, “but we were not prepared for the complete lack of discussion on the issue.
“In contrast to the care taken over debating Phillip Island issues, it felt as though this council sees Wonthaggi solely as a place for housing development, without any concern for its environment or the amenity of its residents.
“We felt all the councillors showed a complete lack of respect for those who objected to the development, and for their reasons for objecting.”
Council officers had recommended the permit be approved and it passed unanimously with minimal comment. Cr Jon Temby was absent and Cr Morgan declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in the discussion.
Objectors who attended the meeting later expressed their disappointment at the summary manner in which councillors had dismissed their concerns.
“We thought the permit was likely to go through,” said Robyn Arianrhod, “but we were not prepared for the complete lack of discussion on the issue.
“In contrast to the care taken over debating Phillip Island issues, it felt as though this council sees Wonthaggi solely as a place for housing development, without any concern for its environment or the amenity of its residents.
“We felt all the councillors showed a complete lack of respect for those who objected to the development, and for their reasons for objecting.”
This area was always a swampy sort of paddock area with a dusty dirt road … it’ll actually be nice to see it sealed, fixed up, drained properly and have some housing there. |
Moving the motion to approve the development, Cr Brett Tessari said the developers had been working with council planners for a long time to get the subdivision across the line.
“Growing up, I spent my first 15 years of my life up at that end of the town. This area was always a swampy sort of paddock area with a dusty dirt road. Nothing much happened up there so it'll actually be nice to see it sealed, fixed up, drained properly and have some housing there. So I'm happy to endorse this."
Seconding the motion, Cr Jan Thompson said Wonthaggi was a prime area for housing subdivision and the plan was consistent with state and local planning policies.
“The drainage issues have been met to the satisfaction of the planning officers, and there are provisions for canopy trees along the streetscapes. It is adjacent to the Range Estate in the south where over 80 lots of approximately 2000 square metres in size have been approved and building has already commenced. This plan is in keeping with other large residential allotments in the area.”
Cr Thompson noted the 17 objections and said they had been taken into account in the assessment by planning officers.
“Growing up, I spent my first 15 years of my life up at that end of the town. This area was always a swampy sort of paddock area with a dusty dirt road. Nothing much happened up there so it'll actually be nice to see it sealed, fixed up, drained properly and have some housing there. So I'm happy to endorse this."
Seconding the motion, Cr Jan Thompson said Wonthaggi was a prime area for housing subdivision and the plan was consistent with state and local planning policies.
“The drainage issues have been met to the satisfaction of the planning officers, and there are provisions for canopy trees along the streetscapes. It is adjacent to the Range Estate in the south where over 80 lots of approximately 2000 square metres in size have been approved and building has already commenced. This plan is in keeping with other large residential allotments in the area.”
Cr Thompson noted the 17 objections and said they had been taken into account in the assessment by planning officers.