By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong councillors have deferred a report that would limit signs and building next to the EastLink corridor to “protect the unique driver experience”.
Councillor John Kelly who moved for the deferment said policies on new signs, buildings and works were already covered by Greater Dandenong’s planning scheme.
“I don’t think we should just bow to ConnectEast, which is a private company,” Cr Kelly said.
“We have our own planning scheme. Let us have control over it. Some of their artwork (installations) is ordinary. They should tidy up their own act first.”
A council report last Monday stated that three other councils – Knox, Maroondah and Frankston – have opted out of similar amendments.
It stated Maroondah and Frankston would consider the amendment at a later stage.
Knox had decided its planning schemes had adequate safeguards.
Peter Shelton, the council’s acting city planning director, said the council was not ceding its planning authority to ConnectEast.
“At this point, council has no specific concerns regarding development along EastLink however council is keen to ensure that problems do not arise in the future and that development standards along this corridor are inconsistent with the rest of the municipality.”
ConnectEast spokesman Peter De Luca said the policy would “protect the unique driver experience of the EastLink urban design environment” by preventing future works, buildings and signs inconsistent with the road’s “urban design”.
“The proposed policy will ensure that new applications for advertising signage do not have an adverse visual impact on the landscape and design of the EastLlink corridor and are not located in areas which require high levels of driver concentration.”
He said existing billboards and signs on Eastlink were “subject to strict assessment criteria and complies with the proposed policy” and their sites were approved by VicRoads.
The council had exhibited the proposed planning amendment in May and June – without any resultant public objections – after a request from ConnectEast last year.
