Minister calls in housing plan

By Lia Bichel
A $4 MILLION affordable housing development knocked back by the Greater Dandenong Council has been supported by Planning Minister Justin Madden.
Mr Madden called in the proposal from VCAT. Under the proposal, 15 one and two storey homes with an award-winning design would be constructed in Jesson Crescent, Dandenong.
He said the development, if approved, would be funded and operated by the Department of Human Services and would provide homes to 15 Victorian families.
“The government is standing up for Victorian families and Victorian jobs by speeding up the planning process and boosting supplies of affordable rental housing in areas of high demand,” Mr Madden said.
“We are using planning provisions to fast-track the approval works for areas in most need of housing for vulnerable families.”
The impending housing would replace the current public housing options in the area to better meet the needs of the local community, Mr Madden said.
Red Gum Ward councillor Angela Long said the council rejected the proposal because there was not sufficient parking, but said she thought the development was a great idea for Dandenong.
“The only problem was the parking. There was a reduction of 12 parking spots. Residents came to me with concerns that there would be too many people parking on the street,” she said.
“I think the development itself is fantastic. We do need public housing in the area. There are a lot of people on a waiting list.”
But fellow Red Gum Ward councillor Paul Donovan did not share the same enthusiasm.
He said the application had serious design flaws, and the State Government’s approval: “Demonstrates to this community the government’s willingness to override the locally enshrined planning powers with no regard for due process” (see letters page 6).
Member for Dandenong John Pandazopoulos welcomed the fast-tracking of the proposal and said it was in the best interest of vulnerable Dandenong families.
“Government planning reforms will make a real difference to Dandenong residents in need of housing assistance in these tough economic times,” he said.
“If approved this proposal will have a direct impact on the quality of people’s lives in Dandenong, whether they live in these homes or are employed to work on the improvements.”
Mr Madden said the proposal was consistent with the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme which identified the need to deliver more affordable housing closer to jobs, transport and services.
The design for the proposed development won a 2007 Living Space design competition by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and the Office of Housing, for its innovative, energy efficient and flexible design.
The department will hear from the relevant parties and report to the minister before a decision is made on the proposal.