Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges council has voted to issue a permit for 85 Harpers Lane, following community push back against the development.
Council voted to progress with the revised planning permit, at its meeting on May 10, following its previous rejection of the plan which was upheld by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The revised development seeks to subdivide the land into 65 lots, remove native vegetation, and remove two electricity supply easements, on the low density residential zoned land.
Deputy mayor Jennifer Anderson said despite the reduction in number of lots from 87 to 65, she still feels the plan is an overdevelopment of the site.
“Just because a plan can be granted, doesn’t mean that it has to be granted,” Cr Anderson said.
“Although our planning staff believe that this new application takes on board everything that VCAT asked for … our community members do not.
“So I’ve taken what the community has said into consideration.”
Cr Anderson said she does not think the plan responds enough to VCAT’s findings, primarily about the rural landscape and character of the town.
“For me it’s really important that we keep that rural character and landscape,” she said.
“Even though the size [of] lots around the outside have increased, they are still smaller than… I think would keep this rural and open landscape of the area.”
Cr Janet Pearce spoke in favour of the motion and said while she recognises it is a hard decision, council must work to the current policies.
“This [area] has been zoned low density residential for at least 20 years,” Cr Pearce said.
“Initially it was a 4000 square metre minimum lot subdivision but whether we like it or not, this was changed by the minister back in 2007.
“We must work to the current policy and that is the minimum of 2000 square metres is allowed, because of the sewerage connection.”
Mayor Annette Death agreed with Cr Pearce and said while she struggles with the smaller lot sizes, she would support the motion due to the sound planning decisions.
“I will be voting for the motion due to the process that this has already been through and due to the sound planning decisions [from the] council officers,” Cr Death said.
Councillors who voted for the motion include: Cr Geoff Neil, Cr Dominic Bonanno, Cr Bill West, Cr Pearce and Cr Death. Councillors who voted for the motion include: Cr Rob Guthrie, Cr Anne Moore, and Cr Anderson.
