Chance to clean up

By DANIELLE GALVIN
RESIDENTS opposite the Pakenham Marketplace will have the option to sell up.
On Monday night, councillors voted to amend the Cardinia Planning Scheme and submit it to the Minister for Planning Matthew Guy for approval.
Cr Brett Owen moved the motion, which was seconded by Cr Collin Ross.
“The area in question has, in recent years, had a major development across the road,” he said.
“It is more appropriate for it to be mixed use rather than just residential.”
The amendment would mean residents could sell their properties for business prospects if Mr Guy approves the rezoning of the land.
Councillors voted to accept the officer’s recommendation to rezone the land from residential zone one to mixed use.
Cr Ross said that residents had a very different outlook prior to the development of the Woolworths complex between John and Henry streets.
“People will know that at the back of Woolies, the residents used to look across at a park,” he said.
“Now there’s a truck loading bay not to mention the noise as well.”
Cr Ross said the change to the zoning would give residents more options.
“It’s about giving them a choice,” he said.
“They have the option to stay if they want or move out if it’s not what they want from the area.”
Cr Graeme Moore said he supported his fellow councillors.
“I do have sympathy for the people there, who have garbage trucks and noise to deal with – this is a great decision to make,” he said.
In the report prepared by the council, officers said that the area is home to a temporary car park, Mecwa Community Complex and houses.
“The land is opposite the recently developed Woolworths complex,” the report reads.
“The close proximity to a major retail area has some impact on the residential amenity of the area.”
Officers suggested the area would be better suited to intensive residential development and potentially offices and businesses.
The council received seven submissions to the amendment to the zoning, of which five were supportive and two were objections.