A rejected planning permit for a new supported residential services (SRS) facility in Sydenham will now be appealed through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Brimbank council rejected the planning permit for the proposed facility at 1-5 Profita Avenue, Profita Lodge in July after it received 67 community objections.
The proposed facility was to be opened at the same site of a previous SRS facility, Sydenham Grace, which was operated by different owners Grace Disability Services (GDS).
Sydenham local Bronwyn King, who lives near the site, said residents were informed of the appeal via mail.
“I just don’t want something like that opening up,” Ms King said.
“They’re not being transparent enough about who’s going to be living there.”
Ms King said she would like to see community engagement on the matter.
As reported by Star Weekly, the previous SRS facility at the site was shut down in 2022 after a state government investigation revealed GDS had failed to meet regulations to protect the health and wellbeing of its 34 residents, resulting in the cancellation of Sydenham Grace’s registration.
Sydenham locals alleged that some Sydenham Grace residents roamed the streets and committed anti-social acts within the vicinity of a childcare centre.
“I know from when it was opened last time there was a lot of trouble with police and there were always ambulances being called,” Ms King said.
Director of Peyton Waite PL Town Planners Martyn Thompson said misinformation among the community had led to the planning permit’s rejection by council.
“Most of the submitters seemed to have had the impression that it was to be the same proponents from the previous operation coming back to the site – this is not true,” Mr Thompson said.
“The emphasis on the adverse historic activities led to a focus on community safety and this resulted in an inability to consider and appreciate what a Supported Residential Service is all about.
“We were at pains to explain during the permit application that the clients (Profita Lodge) would be accommodating a more self-funded client, rather than the patients (with very different needs and requirements) that had previously been on site.
“We are obviously going to be putting in place arrangements (i.e. facility upgrades) and operational procedures to suit the responsible management of the facility.”
