SYDENHAM residents have accused Brimbank Council of being secretive in its dealing with a multi-storey housing proposal.
But the council says high-density developments are consistent with the suburb’s structure plan, and it warns residents to be prepared for more in the future.
Residents initially celebrated last week’s decision to reject a four-storey, 143-apartment development in Trickey Avenue, until it emerged that council officers had already approved a second application for a three-storey, 100-apartment building on the same site.
In July, the Weekly reported the 143-dwelling proposal did not have to be advertised as the site was in a comprehensive development zone. Despite this, almost 67 objections were received.
Resident Maria Provenzano said she felt the council had kept residents in the dark.
“The development borders on a residential zone and will have an irreparable impact on the lives of households,” she said. “It’s turning suburban living into inner city.”
Fellow resident Len Cox said the development would devalue properties by thousands.
Administrator Meredith Sussex last week said the 143-dwelling proposal was an overdevelopment of the site. But she said residents should be prepared for higher-density buildings in the future. “This site is located at a prime location close to amenities and the train station. However, the size of this development was a step too far.”
Council’s acting general manager of city development, Stuart Menzies, said the 100-dwelling application included 120 car parking spaces. “This proposal did not go through a council meeting because there were no objections received, given that it was exempt from advertising, and therefore officers had delegation to deal with the matter.”
Mr Menzies said the council would investigate rezoning the area of Sydenham to a standard residential zone, which would require future planning permit applications for multi-unit developments to go before the council. “The main change would be that third party notice, and appeal provisions would be introduced.”
Architect Louis Chiodo said the Trickey Avenue site was in a desirable spot for home buyers. “We wanted to create a place that was not only attractive to home buyers but also architecturally stimulating for the area.”
—Melissa Cunningham
