Clash over Lara plans

Peter Farago
A LARA developer has blamed irreconcilable differences with a ward councillor for delaying two residential estates.
L Bisinella Developments said it published a fourpage “community information bulletin” outlining plans for Grand Lakes and Sanctuary Views estates near Lara after its relationship with Cr Tony Ansett had broken down.
The company lodged rezoning applications in 2003 but believed the first land would not available until 2008.
Spokesperson David Withington said the company published the bulletin after a report on Grand Lakes was withdrawn before a council meeting last month.
“Bisinella has been very reluctant to take this approach but has become extremely frustrated at the lack of accurate information in the community and the obvious politicisation of the planning process,” Mr Withington said.
“We want to get back to a situation where sound planning considerations, rather than political considerations, drive the outcomes of planning.”
Mr Withington blamed Cr Ansett.
“We’ve tried very hard but I think it’s fair to say the relationship is irreconcilably broken down.
“Cr Ansett deferred the Grand Lakes report without any cause.
“He’s clearly being driven by politics. He’s not looking at it objectively.”
An independent planning panel had recommended council support Grand Lakes. A separate panel recommended Sanctuary Views as a high priority when council next reviewed Lara’s structure plan.
Sanctuary Views, adjacent to Serendip Sanctuary, has angered Lara Care Group, which opposes highdensity houses close to the reserve.
Bisinella has asked Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the panel’s recommendation on Sanctuary Views, Mr Withington said.
But Cr Ansett said Lara voters gave him a mandate to oppose Sanctuary Views because he campaigned against residential development adjacent to Serendip at the last election.
“The community doesn’t have to vote for me if they don’t agree with me,” he said.
Cr Ansett said he would compromise to allow rural living on the site.
“I’m not antidevelopment. (Bisinella) could come down to as small as an acre,” Cr Ansett said.
Officers had withdrawn the Grand Lakes report for consideration concurrently with the structure plan, which would allow infrastructure to catch up with Lara’s previous housing boom, Cr Ansett said.
He said the company’s bulletin promoted its own business interests.