Apartments to proceed

By Lia Bichel
THE City of Greater Dandenong council has granted a planning permit for a controversial apartment complex in Dandenong, despite receiving a petition with 67 signatures opposing the development.
Council voted six to three to grant Ammache Architects a permit to develop 14 apartments in two double-storey buildings, at 10 Grace Avenue and 89 Herbert Street.
The development must comply with a list of conditions outlined by council officers.
Red Gum Ward councillor Paul Donovan urged councillors to vote in favour of the application.
He said he understood many were concerned about the apartments housing too many people but said this particular proposal was of quality design.
“This is clearly not an overdevelopment,” he said.
Cr Donovan also urged the proposal be passed to avoid losing future control of planning decisions.
“If the matter goes to VCAT we could lose planning control,” he said.
Silverleaf Ward’s Cr John Kelly urged fellow councillors to reject the proposal.
“To me it doesn’t meet the character of the neighbourhood,” he said.
“This is a very botch of our design. Sixty-seven people have gone through the trouble to put their name to a petition … people are concerned.”
Cr Kelly voted with colleagues Yvonne Herring and Angela Long to reject the proposal.
Cr Youhourn Chea was absent from the meeting and mayor Jim Memeti had declared a conflict of interest.