VCAT upholds decision

By Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong councillors are rejoicing after a tribunal upheld their decision to stop the development of eight two-storey units on a residential block.
Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti said it was a victory for the residents of MacPherson Street who had strongly opposed the development.
“It’s a good result for the community,” he said.
“You have to make sure that when you give a permit they (the developer) have got adequate car parking on the premises and not heaps of cars parking on the street.”
In November 2007, a council officer’s report recommended a permit be approved for the development on a 1453 square metre block in MacPherson Street, Dandenong.
But Cr Memeti and Dandenong North Ward councillor John Kelly moved and seconded a refusal based on the objections of neighbouring residents.
At the time Cr Memeti said there was a grave concern over the lack of car parking available to potential tenants, and residents were worried that vehicles would park on the street.
Council rejected the application based on a number of grounds including overdevelopment of the site.
The applicant, JAG Building Consultants, appealed the matter to Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Last week, VCAT upheld council’s decision.
Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown said it was evidence that councillors ‘sometimes get it right’ when challenging the opinion of qualified town planners.
Cr Brown said VCAT’s support of the decision also showed that two groups of planners can have varying opinions on developments.
The November 2007 report, by planning manager Jody Bosman, argued that there was adequate parking on site.
“Each dwelling is provided with a single garage,” he wrote.
“One communal visitor’s car space has also been provided between dwellings four and five to the rear of the site, with a visitor’s car space also provided in front of dwelling eight for their sole use.”
Residents argued this was insufficient, and also objected to the development on the grounds there would be extra noise from traffic, overshadowing of their gardens and windows, the units’ residents would be able to peer into their backyards, and retaining the street’s quiet character.