By Luke Voogt
Council has knocked back plans for a 34-lot subdivision in Drysdale following 56 objections and a 35-signature petition.
Developer Culture Homes applied to create 34 vacant lots with an internal horseshoe-shaped road on a 1.96 hectare site at 5-17 Oakden Road.
The proposed lots vary in size from 325 square metres to 1385 square metres, at an average of 443 square metres.
The proposal involves removing all existing vegetation onsite.
But a council planning committee last Thursday night recommended the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) refuse a permit for the subdivision.
Objectors, many from neighbouring properties, opposed the subdivision’s density, potential impact to neighbourhood character, traffic and safety, loss of trees and habitat, and drainage.
Planning committee chair Kylie Grzybek said while the subdivision met many planning requirements, council had too many concerns to recommend a permit.
“The committee has considered the application carefully and listened to the views of the local community,” she said.
Cr Grzybek said the subdivision did not meet the expectations of Drysdale residents and the council’s aim to protect the character of Bellarine towns.
“The number of small lot sizes and the loss of vegetation were of particular concern.”
The committee also included mayor Stephanie Asher, deputy mayor Trent Sullivan and councillors Jim Mason, Belinda Moloney and Bruce Harwood.
VCAT will hold a compulsory conference on April 28 ahead of a case hearing on June 23 to 24.
The refusal comes after council controversially approved plans for a 550-house estate in Drysdale last December.
Council adopted an amendment to rezone 28 ‘rural living’ properties on either side of Central Road, Drysdale, to support the proposed estate.
Crs Asher, Sullivan and Anthony Aitken opposed the plans, with Cr Mason abstaining, but the remainder of councillors voted in line an independent committee’s recommendation to approve the amendment.
Council received 71 public submissions on the proposal, with 64 objections including 21 opposing a proposed road now scrapped from the plans.
The proposal is before Planning Minister Richard Wynne, with Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis Association appealing for him to intervene.
