Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges residents have spoken out against the proposed Wedge Street development in Kyneton, with concerns about lot sizes, traffic and neighbourhood character.
Council received 30 submissions in regards to the development which proposes 18 lots and a reserve adjacent to Post Office Creek.
Ten residents spoke against the plan during council’s planning delegated committee meeting on July 12.
One resident said they have been living in the area for 30 years and development does not consider the neighbourhood impact, especially with Wedge Street bridge over Post Office Creek.
“I’m speaking to object this proposed development … [as it] doesn’t consider the long term damage it will have caused this neighbourhood,” the resident said.
“[One] of the main reasons I object this includes [that] the Wedge Street bridge is inadequate to take extra traffic.”
The resident said the narrow bridge width is a current problem for the cars, pedestrians, animals and bikes which all access the bridge.
“This is a current problem for the 20 to 25 houses who live north of the Post Office Creek and use the bridge already,” they said.
“Therefore I can’t see how it will cope with the extra [vehicles] … I’ve already seen near misses of people nearly being hurt, including myself.
“With an undersized bridge and 50 per cent more traffic I can only see [an accident] being more likely … to happen.”
The submitter who spoke on behalf of the applicant said there are examples of smaller allotments in the area, and Wedge Street bridge was assessed to be able to accommodate the extra traffic.
“The surrounding neighbourhood character provides for a mix of lot sizes … [and] there are several examples of smaller infill allotments that are equal or less in size than the proposed allotments,” they said.
“The Wedge Street bridge is small in size … [and] is affected by heritage overlay which makes upgrading it unlikely.
“The traffic impact assessment report prepared by a qualified traffic engineer concluded the road network can accommodate the added traffic.”
Other objections to the development include potential impact on Post Office Creek, noise, dust, heritage of the adjoining police paddock, and housing diversity.
