Controversial plans to rezone the former Underbank Stud Farm are now before an advisory panel, which will make recommendations to Moorabool council in mid-July.
The panel has already held four meetings to discuss a proposal to rezone the 167-hectare site in Bacchus Marsh for a future residential estate.
The area has been identified in the Moorabool Planning Scheme as “potential residential” since 2009.
Moorabool council decided in March to refer the issue to a state government panel.
“If we do it this way . . . we can have a say on lot sizes, traffic issues and social concerns,” mayor Paul Tatchell said.
Five residents made submissions against the rezoning, which would bring a step closer a proposal by Kataland Developments for a 1400-house estate on the site west of Bacchus Marsh.
“Previous councils agreed never to rezone Underbank as residential as it’s not in our town’s best interests,” said Bacchus Marsh resident and former mayor Pat Griffin, who made a submission.
“The site is unsuitable for 400-square-metre blocks on a flood plain. It’s land that would clearly be better used for agriculture. If Bacchus Marsh needs more residential subdivision, there are better places.”
Kataland project manager Tom Graham said he understood Moorabool council supported the rezoning but had issues to address.
“One such issue is the type of residential zone. They’ve recommended one way; we’ve recommended another,” Mr Graham said. “They’re similar, but they believe their way gives them more input into how the site is developed.”
Cr Tatchell said that while the hearings allowed every party involved to put forward their case, he still had concerns.
“I worry about how busy Bacchus Marsh is now,” he said.
“We already have traffic issues and we’re growing so quickly. Is Underbank the answer?
“We also need to get the traffic situation under control. We should build the Halletts Way bypass then think about building estates.”
Moorabool council’s growth and development manager, Satwinder Sandhu, said the council would make a decision after the independent panel had submitted its recommendations to council and the planning minister.
He said the council would make “a determination on … whether to approve the rezoning with or without changes to the associated schedules and planning overlays or to abandon the amendment” .
If council adopts the amendment, it will be forwarded to the planning minister for consideration.
