Division dumped

By Melissa Grant
COUNCILLORS have halted a developer’s plan to carve up a strip of land on Ahern Road into 43 lots, saying the proposed subdivision would be an overdevelopment of the area.
They said the plan was totally inappropriate for the edge of the growth corridor and feared a dangerous precedent could be set if it was approved.
“In an area on the edge of green wedge the aim is to provide for lower density developments,” councillor George Blenkhorn said.
“This is a high density development in an inappropriate area.”
The council had previously given the developer permission to create 30 lots from 177-183 Ahern Road near Breyleigh Drive.
However, a “change in market conditions” led the applicant to request it be increased to 43.
Cr Ed Chatwin said there appeared to be an element of greed involved and the proposal didn’t satisfy planning requirements and was of poor taste.
Cr Brett Owen said if the subdivision went ahead, some of the blocks could have road frontages of just 10 metres.
“It’s one of the smallest blocks you would find on the edge of the growth corridor,” he said.
“When you have a garage of six metres it doesn’t leave much room for the rest of the house.
“I hope we fight it if it goes to VCAT (Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal).” Cr Stuart Halligan said small blocks were inappropriate because the land in question was steep and hilly.
“On a small allotment you would have to excavate the block completely and have retaining walls put up,” he said.
Cr Owen said the reasons for refusal were quite appropriate.
“We don’t want to see these types of subdivisions occur on the edge of the growth corridor,” he said.
The council will consider another 43-unit proposal for a 1.396 hectare lot at the end of Hawk Avenue, bordering Meadowvale Retirement Village, before the end of the year.
Residents have raised concerns about the development not fitting with the character of the surrounding homes and the significant increase in traffic expected for Hawk Avenue, the development’s only access point.
“We feel planners and councillors have an obligation to add to or enhance the neighbourhood, not destroy its character,” one resident said.