By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
LARGE swathes of residential streets in Dandenong and Noble Park will be quarantined from high-rise apartment developments under a proposal from Greater Dandenong Council.
The council’s residential zones review report proposes a planning scheme C182 amendment that would shrink the “expansive” residential growth zone – effectively replacing four-storey developments with two-storey height limits.
Streets excluded under the amendment would include a large zone east of Stud Road in Dandenong – sweeping from south of David Street to Pultney Street.
Other rezoned areas include a Dandenong West block bordered by Jones Steet, Birdwood Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
Large areas to the north, east and south of Noble Park CBD would also be taken out of the residential growth zone.
Conversely, two areas west and east of Springvale would have height-limits lifted from two storeys up to three to reflect the “improved operation of Springvale activity centre… and lack of identified valued neighbourhood character”.
The report presented to the council on Monday 15 June proposes to create a more gradual “step down” in development height and density in Dandenong and Noble Park’s periphery.
“This approach will ensure that residential land supply is adequate to meet demand and generates a sustainable future built form while respecting and enhancing those areas with an identified neighbourhood character.”
Councillor Matthew Kirwan, a vocal critic of the residential growth zone’s magnitude, said the reduction was not “anti-development”.
“It’s about setting the boundaries right for developers to send the signal that we want medium and high density near the centres of the activity centres … not in family residential streets that are not near the centre at all.”
He said the changed focus would lead to more people living in the activity centres, enlivening them as has happened in Melbourne’s CBD.
The revision is subject to approval and possible amendment from Planning Minister Richard Wynne and a public submission process.
The proposed revision comes after a concerted residents’ campaign against multi-storey development.
Resident Patsy Horne welcomed the planned excision of MacPherson Street from the residential growth zone but feared it may be too late to prevent a nearby application for six three-storey townhouses, which is valid under current height limits.
Cr Kirwan said the amendment, if approved, won’t apply retrospectively to prevent “a lot of speculative” multi-storey applications by developers in the affected streets.
“There’s still a limited demand for apartments in Dandenong so more town houses are going ahead,” Cr Kirwan said.
“What I’ve just found out is how many sites in Dandenong have permits that have expired.”
Cr Roz Blades said parked cars were crowding Noble Park residential streets due to a combination of over-development and a lack of connecting bus services to the railway station.
