Sarah Oliver
Moorabool council has voiced its disappointment over VCAT’s approval of a development at 101 Gisborne Road in Bacchus Marsh.
The irregular-shaped site will be used primarily for staged multi-level dwelling developments.
In a statement, council said it had been made aware of a VCAT decision on a development at the Bacchus Marsh site after a three day hearing in August.
Council was represented at the hearing by legal and planning experts.
The VCAT action was instigated by the developers after council failed to determine a planning permit within the prescribed time.
In the statement, council said it failed to make a determination because “council officers were trying to secure an improved outcome for the site. After the applicant lodged the appeal, council determined it would not support the application”.
The plans were then amended and council stated it was satisfied with some of the changes, including that the site now offered better access for emergency services.
However, council still opposed the majority of the plans.
At the August hearing, council secured a number of changes including the provision of land for the Aqualink cycling/pedestrian network without cost to ratepayers.
Other changes included a reduction in the total number of dwelling by six, at least eight dwellings on the eastern boundary will be single storey as opposed to double storey, and improved sound acoustic treatment on the northern boundary, combined with increased landscaping.
In its statement, council said it was “disappointed and does not agree that it is an island location as defined by VCAT in its decision”.
“Furthermore, Council officers continue to be concerned about the impact on traffic movement and flow from Clifton Drive and Gisborne Road”.
