Housing approval has gallery in uproar

BRIMBANK Council has approved two contentious housing applications in Deer Park and Ardeer.

There was uproar from members of the gallery at last Tuesday’s planning meeting after administrators unanimously approved an application for three double-storey dwellings in Yallourn Street, Ardeer.

The application drew seven objections from residents, who argued the buildings would be detrimental to the neighbourhood character, cause overshadowing, and create an influx of traffic and parking issues.

One dwelling will have three bedrooms and a single garage. The other two will include two bedrooms and a single garage.

Resident Andre Hamilton said most residents in the street were families or elderly residents.

“The council needs to have a duty of care to the elderly community and the families who live in this street permanently,” he said.

“By allowing this overdevelopment to go ahead there will be cars all over the place. Our once-quiet neighbourhood will be full of noise pollution from those additional cars, not to mention the overshadowing it will cause for the house beside, in front and behind the development.”

Administrators also approved a permit for two double-storey houses and one single storey dwelling in Montasell Avenue, Deer Park.

Fifteen objections were received, with residents voicing concerns over loss of privacy, overcrowding and increased traffic flow. 

Resident George Hebertson told the meeting the development had the potential to ruin their way of life, and some residents had lived there more than 57 years. 

Brimbank chairman John Watson said both applications were in line with the council’s housing strategy and promoted a housing market that met the needs of the community.