Backyard blitz

THE people have spoken: no high-rise apartments should be built near their suburban backyards, according to Greater Dandenong Council consultation.
The consultation report on ‘future housing near major shopping centres’ stated there was a “very strong”response from residents and stakeholders, particularly from those in Dandenong.
The report findings stated many suggested lowering apartment height-limits in residential streets and confining high-rise to near railway stations.
Many respondents also called for higher design-quality for medium and high density developments, and better landscaping.
Car parking, traffic congestion and a lack of public open space due to new development were also major concerns.
“Given the response from the community … it is recommended that (the) council continues to engage with residents in a considered and comprehensive way,” the report stated.
The council received 439 community-initiated survey responses and 153 council survey responses, as well as a 93-signature petition and more than 70 workshop attendees.
Melinda Puglisi, who has led a resident push against high-rise in residential streets, said the results were “clear”.
“An overwhelming number of residents do not believe apartments are appropriate in existing residential streets and they believe the size of the Residential Growth Zone needs to be reduced.
“A large number of residents also believe the height of new developments in existing areas should be no more than double-storey.
“It is now up to our council to act on this feedback.”
Councillor Matthew Kirwan said the report showed most residents accepted the need for apartments but only in “the very centres of Dandenong and Noble Park”.
Councillor Roz Blades said the council was working on reducing the Residential Growth Zone and cutting housing-densities in streets away from railway stations.
– Cam Lucadou-Wells