Development decision anger heads to VCAT

By Kath Gannaway
THE Coldstream Action Group (CAG) has started proceedings at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to have planning approval for a number of dual occupancy developments overturned.
CAG members were outraged when Yarra Ranges Council approved five dual-occupancy applications for properties in Coldstream’s housing estate in November.
The decision came after the group had presented the council with a petition signed by 596 residents opposing the infill developments.
Mayor Len Cox said at the time the shire would back its decision against any action taken by the residents through VCAT.
Members of the group met with opposition planning spokesman Matthew Guy and Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe to raise the issue not only of what they said was an inappropriate overdevelopment of the estate, but also of the potential for more land to be opened up to development to meet the growing need for housing.
“Clearly the residents live in Coldstream because they like living a certain way and they want to preserve that way of life for future generations of their families.
“It is an area rich with family links,” Mr Guy said. He said the current push for overdevelopment in areas such as Coldstream were caused by unplanned population growth.
“The heart of the issue is that there has been a lack of planning on the part of the State Government.
“They have failed plan for the sizeable increase in Victoria’s population which has added to pressure to overdevelop areas,” he said.
Mr Guy said while dual occupancy planning permits were often challenged by communities, Yarra Ranges Council’s decision did not reflect the level of community concern.
Ms Fyffe said the approvals opened the door for other developers to subdivide more blocks.
Looking at alternative solutions, Ms Fyffe said there was room to look at a review of the existing Coldstream township boundaries.
“We need to be looking at extending the boundaries of the Coldstream township so that it can comfortably accommodate more residents,” Ms Fyffe said.
She added a caution, however.
“We must remain mindful that it is vitally important we save valuable and productive rural land.
“We certainly do not want to see the kind of development that has occurred on farming land in Berwick and Pakenham,” Ms Fyffe said.
CAG spokesman Guy Walker said the group had looked at options for getting the urban growth boundary changed.
“We are in full support of another estate – we don’t want infill,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Council is currently exhibiting the Green Wedge Management Plan in relation to priorities for the municipality’s rural areas.
Council communications manager James Martin said the plan sets out a vision for the green wedge with agriculture, conservation and landscape values the highest priority and tourism and rural living secondary.
“While the Green Wedge Management Plan is not focused on changes to the urban growth boundary, community members are welcome to make their views known in relation to this,” he said.
He also said Coldstream was not an area identified in the council’s housing strategy, adopted in May, for infill development.
“Council is seeking the planning minister’s approval to exhibit a draft housing scheme amendment that, if accepted, would limit dual occupancies in areas such as Coldstream to a minimum lot size of 1000sqm,” he said.