By Jessica Micallef
A plan for a 21-lot subdivision in Sunbury has been approved by Hume council.
During last Monday’s council meeting, councillors voted to grant a planning permit put forward by Urban Design Management.
The plan proposes 21 lots, removing native vegetation and creating an access road at 160 Riddell Road.
The lot sizes will range from 495 square metres to 1022 square metres. Seven large trees, one large scattered tree and five small scattered trees are proposed for removal, which include yellow and red boxes and yellow gum trees.
The application received six objections which raised concerns about the loss of vegetation and privacy, increased traffic and noise and devaluation of properties.
Cr Jack Medcraft said the development would be a “bonus” for Sunbury.
“The thing we have to understand, in Sunbury especially, is we are going to have a massive growth in population,” he said.
“People want to come to Sunbury, they want to live the country lifestyle and they also want to have the amenities. They want to have the land, they want to have a property they are proud of.
“That property has also been used by vagrants. It has been a scene of criminal activity and this is not good for the people that live around this area.
“I really do welcome the development. It will provide blocks bigger than normal. It will give people the opportunity to have a backyard where the kids can play football but they can also enjoy the trees that have been there for many years.”
Councillors Leigh Johnson and Jodi Jackson said the vegetation loss as a result of the development was concerning.
“Once it’s lost you can never get it back,” Cr Johnson said.
“To lose one hectare of native vegetation, I look at that and I think what shame.”
Cr Jackson said: “We value our public open spaces in Hume. We have very high standards and we expect more … for open space because it is so valuable to our community and we do stand here to advocate for them.”
