Hume council has approved a permit for a dwelling in Ardcloney Drive, Sunbury, following community concern about neighbourhood character.
At the meeting on July 24, council approved the development of a double storey dwelling at the rear of an existing dwelling at 11 Ardcloney Drive.
Council received 10 objections to the development, and three public speakers spoke out against the development at the meeting.
One objector who spoke at the meeting said the proposal does not encourage or respect the character of the neighbourhood.
“Despite there being no heritage overlay, the site and surroundings have a strong, consistent and cohesive neighbourhood character and identity,” they said.
“Any new development would not fit the character of this designated, original, old Sunbury precinct.”
Councillor Trevor Dance did not support the development and said council has to look after the interest of long term residents.
“To see 10 objections from a very small area shows you how these people love their neighbourhood and … we’ve got to have a duty of care,” Cr Dance said.
“I don’t know how they are going to fit this dwelling in there, it would look unsightly, totally unsightly, it would be a blob on the area.
“We need to send a message to the government that we, as a community, don’t want to see people losing the amenities they love and live for just to put another block house on a property.”
Cr Karen Sherry disagreed and said she understood change can be upsetting, but resources would be wasted at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal if council did not approve the permit.
“I am supporting this application because we actually need more housing in areas like this, and this enables young couples to get into the market,” Cr Sherry said.
“Because the site is so close, it’s within 550 metres of the town centre, a secondary school … transport and is also in a moderate change area.
“Neighbourhood character doesn’t mean maintaining the same thing, it means using materials and setbacks that compliment the area.”
Zoe Moffatt
