Elsie Lange
Riddells Creek residents are again rallying against a controversial plan for high density development in their town.
The previous 2019 draft of the Amess Road precinct structure plan (PSP) proposed 1290 lots on a 131 hectare site – resident Simon Were said the latest draft of the plan, developed by Echelon Planning, “looks very similar and fails to address key concerns raised by the community”.
“Nothing has fundamentally changed as far as the decrease in the number of lots. We’ve actually seen an increase in the number of lots and a decrease in the size of the lots,” he said.
He said the Max Hardy-led community consultation, responded to by Echelon Planning, did not adequately represent the views of residents.
Last week, a collection of passionate locals, co-led by Mr Were, started a petition to ensure Macedon Ranges council understood their concerns about lot sizes, road use, infrastructure, services and community collaboration.
“What we want is to see a good draft go before council, and we’re so far away at the moment,” he said.
The petition, which has already garnered more than 500 signatures, asks that council make sure the plan rejects lots smaller than 800 square metres and sets a maximum of nine lots per buildable hectare.
“Residents are not against development, but our town’s rural identity is not for sale,” the petition said.
“Work with us on the big issues like traffic movement, community services and a new vision for Riddells Creek as more than a dormitory suburb on a train line.”
Macedon Ranges Residents Association secretary Christine Pruneau said the Macedon Ranges was “not Melbourne” and council needed to focus on that.
“It’s critical that, with these huge developments, consulting and getting agreement from a community about the type and scale of development and how impacts are to be addressed is tied down long before any development proposal is made.”
Mr Were said the PSP would set a precedent in the Macedon Ranges and would significantly increase the region’s population. He said it was important to get it right.
“[People need to be] near public transport, need to be near a doctor. I’m a resident and I can’t get into the doctor without three weeks’ notice. Riddells Creek is not set up for that,” he said.
Echelon Planning was contacted for comment.
The petition will be presented to council early next year. A hard copy of the petition is available to sign at Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House.
Details: bit.ly/3FxW9p0.
