By Oliver Lees
Melton councillors have doubled-down on their disapproval of plans for a residential village development in Diggers Rest.
At a meeting held on March 7, discussed the proposed development at Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, which intends to transform the 43.3 hectare lot into a residential housing village.
The proposal was first tabled and denied by councillors on June 28 2021, as council held reservations about its potential negative effect on the neighbourhood aesthetic and increased traffic.
The original plan sought to construct 333 homes at the site which is located less than 200 metres from Diggers Rest Station. It is intended to include development at 23 Tame Street, which was negatively received during the community consultation period.
In returning the application to the council chamber, the applicant, Prime Equity Group, made several adjustments to plan.
The total number of homes was brought down to 286, with each one forecast to be smaller in size. The applicant also excluded 23 Tame Street entirely from the updated vision for the residential village.
Notably, Melbourne Airport removed its objection to the project leading Planning Minister Richard Wynne to amend the planning scheme’s Melbourne Airport Environs protection.
Melton councill planning services manager Robert Baggio said the changes were enough to convince his department.
“From a design perspective, it’s considered a significantly more appropriate development which provides much better amenity both to the residents and also the surrounding area,” Mr Baggio said.
But councilors did not agree with the officers’ assessment of the new plan.
Melton deputy mayor Lara Carli gained support from her colleagues in moving an alternate motion suggesting that council would inform the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal of its disapproval.
“The traffic congestion is what I spoke of last time this came before us and it’s still a huge concern for residents,” Cr Carli said.
“To me when I read the report… there is not even enough green space available for this size of a development.”
