A petition calling on the state government to reconsider the proposed Cairnlea estate master plan has now been sponsored by upper house MP Moira Deeming as a legislative council petition.
The petition, calling for the plan to include a diverse range of housing options that aren’t solely high-density dwellings, as well as an extensive multipurpose recreational facility, has now received more than 450 signatures.
Ms Deeming said she sponsored the petition on principle.
“Out of respect for democracy, I sponsor petitions if asked,”she said.
As previously reported by Star Weekly, the planning minister was made the responsible authority for all planning approvals for the development after amendment C241brim was approved as a change to the Brimbank Planning Scheme.
At the time, a state government spokesperson said “we make no apologies for our bold reforms that will boost housing supply – helping young Victorians who are struggling to find a home to buy or rent close to the things that matter to them.”
Ms Deeming said “considering Labor caused this housing crisis by blocking land releases and taxing the rental market out of existence, they should actually apologise.”
“This proud lack of empathy for local families asking simply that basic amenities increase with high density housing, tells you all you need to know about the Allan Labor Government.” she said.
This week the state government told Star Weekly the Cairnlea project has been identified as a priority site for delivering housing by the Victorian government and that amendment C241brim allowed for efficiencies in planning decisions which support the government to help deliver more homes across the state.
It said development applications for these sites will be made through the Development Facilitation program, which was established to make faster decisions for priority projects — and that any future planning applications in this area will be considered on their merits.
Last month, Development Victoria told Star Weekly it appreciates there’s a strong community interest in the project, and said it would continue to keep locals informed of project updates.
