Minister brushes aside residents’ appeal over bridge: Go tell it to VCAT

KIM WATERS
PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy has shot down objections to a proposed bridge at Clifton Springs, according to a lead objector.
John Boland said Mr Guy suggested the 824 people who signed a petition against the bridge should take their fight to a Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal hearing in October.
Mr Boland was “devastated” at the response after bypassing council to take residents’ concerns directly to Mr Guy.
“We’re so disappointed. The complaints of 824 people obviously wen’t listend to,” Mr Boland said.
“People in the area surrounding Bayshore Ave and Kewarra Dve are considering selling their homes because of the 3000 vehicles a week expected to be driving up and down our streets after this bridge goes in. The things Matthew Guy said in his letter to us last week indicated he hadn’t even read his department’s report on the proposal.
“The minister has taken all this stuff from council’s Jetty Road urban development plan but it’s old and doesn’t resemble anything like what the development looks like. I’d question the legitimacy of the report Mr Guy’s department compiled if it’s based on this old growth plan.”
Mr Boland said residents would take their fight to the tribunal hearing.
“Personally I’m against going to VCAT but I think our hand is forced here and we have to be represented.”
Residents thought they had defeated the Griggs Creek bridge proposal in 2008 with a 244-signature petition but the plan was revived earlier this year.
Mr Guy’s letter recommended VCAT as the appropriate authority to consider the objections.
“I acknowledge your concerns about the potential impacts of the bridge on local traffic volumes, amenity and safety,” Mr Guy wrote.
“I am satisfied that this is a local planning matter that is best dealt with by VCAT, which can provide and independent review of the merits of the application in a manner which provides an fair hearing for all parties.”