A planning permit for a double-storey medical centre in Sunbury was approved by Hume Council despite nine objections from residents.
Resident objections to the 1171 square metre medical centre mooted for 86–88 Riddell Road, Sunbury, related to concerns around increased traffic, parking available at the site, privacy, and neighbourhood character.
Councillor Kate Hamley, who voted against granting a planning permit, said that she did so “in accordance with the will” of her community.
“It’s an incredibly frustrating situation … they have all the right to feel that way,” Cr Hamley said.
“Council officers have done what they can and put forward changes in the permit conditions to address some of the very valid concerns that were raised.”
Cr Hamley said these changes included reducing the number of practitioners at the site from nine to seven.
In a public comment read at the meeting, resident Aliesha Jane Anchen said that she felt that the development would “add traffic to the already busy portion of Riddell Road during school hours and add to this already congested area.”
In contrast, a public comment from submitter Jason Sumner – who prepared a statement on behalf of the applicant and in support of the application – supported the approval of the permit.
“One of the key concerns relates to traffic and car parking, and as detailed in the officers report, the site is able to accommodate the required number of parking spaces and the traffic will be via a main road within a transport zone and not through a local street,” Mr Sumner said
He added that in regards to amenity for neighbours, medical centres are not known to generate excessive noise and the operating hours mean there will be no impacts in evenings or “other sensitive times.”
Councillor Karen Sherry said a medical practice will be of value to the region.
“I just want to point out that the demand for medical services is growing, our population is expanding, and some country areas would love to have the kinds of developments that we’re having here in Hume – so I think that on the balance, it’s a decent use and development of the site,” Cr Sherry said.
The proposed operating hours for the medical centre will be 7am–6.30pm from Monday–Friday and from 9am–3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
