By Casey Neill
New rules to keep development in check in Greater Dandenong are now only a few weeks away.
At their Monday 22 August meeting, councillors forwarded residential zone changes to Planning Minister Richard Wynne for final approval.
It will mean some areas currently zoned for growth and therefore susceptible to high-density development will be rezoned to the lower-density General Residential.
The C182 amendment will also require townhouses in the General Residential Zone – which makes up 70 per cent of the municipality – to offer 50 square metres of ground level open space, which is twice the current amount.
“This will mean better quality living for those who live in such townhouses, but also a better experience for neighbours in terms of visual bulk and parking impacts,” Cr Matthew Kirwan said.
He successfully moved a second motion requesting further strategic work, subject to approval in next year’s budget, to address two items not included in the amendment – mandatory height limits plus townhouse density in Keysborough’s new estates.
“Mandatory height limits has been the council-preferred position as it would give certainty to residents, developers and council planning officers alike and would prevent local policy being overruled by VCAT,” Cr Kirwan said.
Dandenong Community Association co-founders Silvia Mastrogiovanni and Carmel Puglisi said the council and State Government had listened to the groundswell of residents saying that apartments should be close to activity centres and railway stations and not in family residential streets.
“The Dandenong Community Association is also pleased that the council voted to develop strategic justification for mandatory heights,” they said in a statement.
“This is one of the few disappointments of the C182 Planning Panel Report.
“Residents and the council wanted mandatory heights and the council should not give up.”
