Macedon Ranges councillors have unanimously voted not to support the Ross Watt Road development at an upcoming Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing.
The controversial development relates to three planning applications for 89 Ross Watt Road, Gisborne, all of which were appealed to VCAT before council had made a decision.
At the August 27 meeting, council decided its stance on an amended development plan and two planning applications.
The amended plan relates to the 2021 development plan for the site, which was approved by VCAT in 2023. Work has since begun at the site to be developed as Rosalia estate.
In 2024, the developer put forward the amended development plan along with the two planning permits which would facilitate the residential village proposed in the development plan amendment for a staged subdivision, and the development of the remainder of the land.
This will net an overall increase of 93 dwellings on the site, through a reduction of residential lots and the addition of a 220-dwelling residential village plus associated facilities.
Council said its concerns with the amended proposals include unsatisfactory responses to local and state planning policy, density, bushfire risk, urban design, traffic impacts, and outcomes contrary to the Gisborne/New Gisborne Outline Development Plan (2009).
Council noted that while they will make its position known, the final decision lies with VCAT.
Cr Jennifer Anderson said it’s important to note the impacts on the community.
“VCAT is very difficult and if somebody decides to take it there before they’re finished doing all the documents and negotiations with council, we’re obliged to go,” she said.
“That can be quite challenging when we don’t have all the information before us.”
Cr Andrew Scanlon said he hoped council won’t need to go down this path again.
“It’s a word out to them that we want good development, we want measured decisions and measured planning and developments that are going to benefit the community,” he said.
During the upcoming VCAT proceedings, council officers and council’s representative delegation will negotiate improved and acceptable outcomes, for approval by council.
