Buffer zone holds

A NEW residential development has been quashed by Cardinia Shire Council over fears of residents living too close to a business park.
Council officers had recommended approving the 149-dwelling development on Michael Street, Pakenham but councillors rejected the motion.
Central Ward Councillor Jodie Owen moved an alternative motion to abandon the plans and retain the existing buffer zone.
“It would be creating an enclave of lower valued land,” she said. “This will show residents that with future planning, thought will be put into it.”
Cr Owen expressed concerns that the development would disadvantage residents by being having tightly-packed houses close to existing businesses.
Existing businesses would also struggle to expand if the land was rezoned as residential, she said.
The move to abandon the proposal was supported by Cr Collin Ross and Cr George Blenkhorn.
“There will be direct competition with the businesses already there,” Cr Ross said. “Businesses need to come into the area without fear or favour of being on the border of a residential area.”
Cr Blenkhorn also agreed that the development would not be good planning for the future of the area.
Cr Kate Lempriere was the only councillor to object the motion, saying the original proposal had ‘merit’.
“This council needs to be open-minded about the mix of housing and industrial,” Cr Lempriere said. “I do not want council to have to defend this at VCAT.”
However, she voted in support of rejecting the proposed development, making the council’s decision unanimous.
The original recommendation would have rezoned the land, located behind Bunnings, from industrial to residential, allowing for the development of 149 dwellings including 19 single-storey homes, 90 double-storey homes and three apartment buildings.
Objections were received from three individials and the EPA, primarily for the loss of a buffer zone.