A LARGE housing development west of Bacchus Marsh is a step closer to construction after Moorabool council supported an amendment to the planning scheme.
The council last week backed the rezoning of a 167-hectare site formerly occupied by the Underbank Stud Farm. Developer Kataland was given permission to subdivide four residential lots in May last year.
A council report said construction was likely to begin within three to five years.
Former mayor Pat Griffin has objected to the project, saying it would worsen traffic and infrastructure woes.
“We want to limit the current urban boundaries,’’ Mr Griffin said.
Bacchus Marsh Residents Association chairwoman Margaret Scarff said the time was not right. “The right infrastructure is not in place for further development on a large scale, and traffic is still a big issue,” she said.
Kataland has offered close to $13 million in works funding, including a major contribution to a Halletts Way extension.
But Mr Griffin believes this will fall “well short”. “It’s a $500 million project we’re talking about,” he said. “If it were $15 million towards a $30 million project only, that’s different.”
Mr Griffin said Bacchus Marsh residents should be given a say over whether they wanted to see 7000 people join the town.
Kataland has also proposed sports fields including an oval and pavilion for cricket and football, with support from “local partnerships”. “Kataland will liaise with the council and engage with the various sporting facilities in the area to assist in the establishment of [junior] community clubs,” the report stated.
The council will request that Planning Minister Matthew Guy approve the amendment for exhibition to the public.
