With the upcoming community forum (27/7/2017) on Draft Concept Plan (prepared by Council, in conjunction with the Victorian Planning Authority) for the mammoth East Village development we thought it appropriate to draw attention to the below Leader Article.
Draft Concept Plan Community Forum
Thursday 27 July, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Duncan Mackinnon Reserve Pavilion, corner North and Murrumbeena Roads, Murrumbeena
Further details and documentation on the Draft Concept Plan are available on Council’s website. An opportunity for residents to comment on the Plan is also provided.
*****************************************
East Village development in Bentleigh East sparks flood fears for Elwood and other areas
Bianca Carmona, Caulfield Glen Eira Leader – July 16, 2017 12:00am
- Council gets behind new school call
- Commercial development plan rejected
- Mayor expects protesters and placards
THE proposed multi-million dollar East Village development in Bentleigh East must include a lake or wetlands to prevent flooding, environmentalists say.
The site, formerly Virginia Park, is on East Boundary Rd and was used as a business estate in the ’90s.
Developers are planning to build a precinct with a retail centre, housing, retirement accommodation and a school.
But Elwood Floods Action Group secretary Geoffrey Love said 80 per cent of rain falling on Glen Eira catchments was channelled into Port Phillip.
He said that without a lake or wetlands for the development, the water would run down the storm water system and increase flooding in Elwood.
Mr Love said Melbourne Water had identified three flood retention sites (reservoirs where water could be stored) including Duncan Mackinnon Reserve, Marlborough Street Reserve and Packer Park.
Make Property Group director, and a site landowner, Kris Daff, said mitigating flooding was “definitely on the radar” for the development.
He said sustainability was a “key consideration”.
“One of the core things we’ve committed to is to be environmentally sustainable at multiple levels,” Mr Daff said.
Recently four councils – Glen Eira, Port Phillip, Bayside and Kingston – signed a Memorandum of Understanding about managing the waters with a view to flood mitigation, to develop consistent policies, encourage water-sensitive urban design and use best practice.
Glen Eira planning and place director Ron Torres said it had partnered the Victorian Planning Authority to deliver the East Village Structure Plan.
“Council has partnered with VPA due to its experience with large urban renewal sites,” he said.
Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss said maximising ground permeability through soft rather than hard landscaping would benefit the entire community.
Glen Eira Residents' Association Inc 