Plans to rezone a 167-hectare site in Bacchus Marsh for a future residential estate are open for public comment. But comment already made isn’t entirely positive.
Kataland Developments is seeking to build a 1400-house estate west of Bacchus Marsh on land formerly occupied by Underbank Stud.
The area has been identified in the Moorabool planning scheme as “potential residential” since 2009.
In a proposal seen by the Weekly earlier this year, the company said the estate would “comprise a balanced use of land with a sensitive mix of residential, commercial, community and green space”.
Several residents have already voiced their objections, saying the area is a flood zone.
Bacchus Marsh’s Lisa Mitchell said her family used to own a dairy on the land.
“It floods very easily down there – we copped a hell of a lot of rain between 1995 and 2000 and there were times where you couldn’t get out unless you were in a four-wheel drive,” she said.
Ms Mitchell said she was disappointed that the old farm, believed to have been used by Phar Lap and his owner, could be overrun by housing lots.
“They have a 70-year-old eucalyptus tree there; they’re just going to knock down years of history,” she said.
Former mayor Pat Griffin said his main concern was the land’s steepness.
“It is goat country,” he said. “It would be a difficult development and on too big of an area. Where the river flats are, it’s a flood plain.” Council chief executive Rob Croxford said an extended consultation period had been set so the council could gauge public opinion. “We want the result to be the best outcome for growth and traffic in Bacchus Marsh,” he said.
John Summers, 81, who lived and raced horses at Underbank for about 12 years, said that while he had a “soft spot” for the area, he understood the desire for development.
“As long as they’re above the flood line they’ll be OK,’’ he said. ‘‘I just hope it’s the right thing for everyone in the area.”
Submissions will be considered by the council after a planning panel hearing. The closing date for submissions is January 24.
