By Peter Douglas
A group of protesters was left red-faced after discovering a Yarra Ranges Council decision had actually gone in their favour.
At council’s Tuesday 13 June meeting, around 30 people packed into the gallery, while brandishing protest signs, to hear the planning outcome for a major high-density development in Kilsyth.
The initial recommendation had been to allow the 17 units to be constructed on 47-51 Terrigal Crescent, Kilsyth.
However, council agreed the proposal wasn’t in keeping with planning guidelines for Kilsyth, with ward councillor Len Cox describing it as “the worst planning application I’ve seen in my time on council”.
After denying the application, one male protester jumped from his chair and told councillors they were a “disgrace” and that “security will have to remove me”.
The man was lightly directed from the building; however, he later returned, presumably after the decision was clarified.
The initial outcry briefly interrupted council proceedings, with Cr Cox suggesting a clarification for the gallery.
“Mr Mayor, before you go on, I think some people are confused as to the result of (item) 7.1. I wonder if we could explain that the application for 17 units was refused,” Cr Cox said.
Mayor Noel Cliff, replied; “Yes. I’m sorry if that wasn’t clear. The recommendation shown on your screen was that we passed the yellow recommendation, which says we denied the (application) … thank you.”
