Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges residents have spoken in opposition of a development in Gradys Lane, Kerrie, with objections surrounding;= fire risk, inappropriate land use and setting the precedent for similar developments.
Four residents spoke about their objections to the application at a planning meeting on May 10, with a further three written objections presented to council.
The application seeks to develop a 15.375 hectare site for a dwelling, a studio, two agricultural buildings and horse husbandry, to keep two horses on the land.
One resident said the permit application is high risk and sets a precedent for smaller lots with dwellings to be developed in the farming landscape.
“The high risk permit brings no benefits to our dispersed farming community,” the resident said.
“[It sets] precedent for lots under 40 hectares in [rural conservation zone] farming landscape to add a dwelling plus money making studio.
“[This contradicts] direction to encourage consolidation of existing isolated small lots and discourage development of small lots in rural zones for residential use.”
Another resident opposing the application spoke about the fire risk and said the development brings an unacceptable high fire risk.
“Adding four structures next to five power lines on steep heavily forested land in a locality with no [Country Fire Authority] is reckless endangerment of life,” the resident said.
“[It] ignores the planning mandate to avoid increasing bushfire risk … [and] brings unacceptably high risk to people already living in extreme risk.”
An individual speaking on behalf of the applicant said the application acknowledges the bushfire risk and the planning scheme contains conditions that it will comply with.
“It is acknowledged the area is a high bushfire risk,” the individual said.
“The planning scheme contains detailed provisions that must be complied with in areas difficult of bushfire management overlay.”
“These scheme conditions have been addressed and complied with.”
The individual also said the lot is bigger than the two adjoining lots, and the application seeks to protect the bush currently on the lot.
Council will consider the application and residents submissions at the next planning delegated committee meeting on June 14.
