Recent media coverage has highlighted the impact that Glen Eira’s 2013 implementation of the “new” planning zones has had on residents, in particular residents of the former Housing Diversity Areas. Unfortunately, GERA’s earlier prediction “that the impact of the Zones implementation will be felt far quicker than the impact of 2002 Minimal Change/Housing Diversity change was” is occurring much more rapidly than even we envisioned.
One year on, residents of the former Housing Diversity Areas are experiencing an increase in high rise, multi-unit development planning applications (with waivered parking requirements) and significant traffic and parking issues. Some residents are opting to sell (either singly or collectively) and relocate while others are choosing to remain.
One group of remaining residents has forwarded to us, the below unedited posting outlining the changes occurring in two streets (Mavho and Loranne Streets) within the Bentleigh Urban Village. It raises issues that need to be addressed at both a State Government (provision of sustainable public transport) and Council (provision of traffic and parking management) level.
The group may be contacted via email – defendmavho@yahoo.com
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
The residents of Mavho Street and the adjoining Bentleigh area have had enough. A greedy development proposal for 24 – 26 Mavho Street could be the third dense unit dwelling development potentially adding 28 units to the street. To put our outrage in to context readers need to be aware that Council has already approved planning permits for no. 32 (10 dwellings 3 storey) and 39 and 41 Mavho St (27 dwellings 3 storey) with reductions in visitor parking. To add more insult there is also a proposal in at 29 – 33 Loranne Street (27 dwellings 4 storey).
We ask Glen Eira Council and the State Government pay due respect to our neighbourhood and the rates and tax payers and that developers be made to construct appropriate and responsible dwellings. We understand the concept of the Urban Village but the proposal for 24 – 26 Mavho will create a situation where living is becoming denser, not transition, as you come further south from Centre Road. The 24 – 26 Mavho Street plans are for a 4 storey apartment block (the approved permits, which are closer to Centre Road, are only for 3 storeys).
Despite the sheer bulk of these dwellings and their impact on the amenity of the area we have grave car parking and traffic concerns. Those who live in the area are already feeling the strain of having to navigate parked cars and traffic, whether you are in a vehicle, on a bike or a pedestrian. We are even starting to hear stories of how ambulances cannot park to gain access to patients! Despite residents ‘real life’ experiences the expert traffic reports submitted with the planning applications continue to take and report inappropriate car parking samples which Council accept. Meanwhile those of us that actually live in the area and use the roads and footpaths are feeling the traffic and parking pinch.
The proposed underground car parking to these new apartment dwellings only take the cars off the street for a limited time, we still have ingress, egress, give way issues especially as we get closer to Centre Road. This is then impacting onto Brewer Road and surrounding streets and arterials.
These apartments are also going to put a significant load on infrastructure and services. Our street sweeper cannot perform its job and the build up of rubbish could lead to rodent infestation issues which could affect not just residents but our cafe/food operators which we love and enjoy in Bentleigh.
Adjoining owners to these developments are going to lose privacy due to inadequate setbacks. No matter what sort of ‘window treatments’ you use to create privacy people need to be able to look out of their windows so this will affect the enjoyment of both old and new residents to our area. Worse still these developers often do not even live in Glen Eira. They come into our neighbourhood, dig it up, build inappropriate structures and do not have to live next door to what is left behind.
What has happened to the dual occupancy townhouses which are much more in keeping with our demographics?
Please help us defend Mavho Street – if you don’t these types of developments are going to end up next to your home.
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Bentleigh Urban Village
Glen Eira Residents' Association Inc 