A medical centre will be expanded on a residential Sunbury street, despite objections from residents.
A planning application was brought to Hume council’s December meeting for the use and development of land for a medical centre, including an extension to the existing medical centre in Sunbury.
The extension refers to the existing medical centre at 12 Powlett Street, Sunbury, and the land at 14 Powlett Street will be the site of the development.
According to council’s report on the item, seven objections were received during the application’s advertising period, with three public comments heard on the item in the meeting all against the application.
Among those against the application, Sunbury resident Melanie Benham had her public comment heard during the council meeting and said the street was not equipped for the amount of traffic.
“The street is narrower than most and does not have a formalised road verge on the side nearest to the creek,” she said.
“The entry and exit of the street is left turn only onto Macedon Street with the other entry from Macedon Street being a gravel service road that washes away a little more each time it rains.
“Last time it rained, cars visiting the dental clinic on the corner lined the gravel service road, leaving minimal space and forcing traffic through huge potholes at the entry/exit point of the service road.”
Cr Jarrod Bell however said moving the item that many of the objections raised by residents were remediated.
“A number of changes to the proposal have been included as part of the conditions in the officer recommendation to address objector concerns and improve the design response,” he said.
“These changes include increasing landscaping with the front setback and along the side boundaries, removing windows facing neighbouring properties … I think there’s some elements there that are really worthy of noting is the willingness of the proponent to come to the table and hear the objections of locals and acknowledge this is an existing functioning and a well appreciated medical facility in my community of Sunbury.”
Council approved the application, with the existing house at 14 Powlett Street to be demolished.
