It’s taken a long time (since 2015) and significant involvement by the VPA (Victorian Planning Authority), Council and residents to get to this stage ie the release of the Planning Scheme Amendments for community consultation.
These Amendments set the requirements for the massive (20ha) redevelopment on East Boundary Road (near the North Road intersection) in Bentleigh East. Basically, they outline what is required to be built where within the site to ensure the Structure Plan (passed by Council, 2018) comes to fruition over the next 15 years.
Residents are concerned that the
- Structure Plans inadequately addressed
- Land locked site – vehicle access from East Boundary and North Roads only
- Limited access to public transport (bus only)
- Down stream flooding impact – Elster Creek
- Impact on proximate activity centres – Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, McKinnon/Ormond and Murrumbeena
- Amendments, as presented, do not include sufficient detail or controls to ensure the outcomes included in the Structure Plans will be achieved. For example (but not limited to):
- building heights are “preferred” and, therefore may be increased, no density controls
- no requirement for provide housing diversity in the form of no. of bedrooms
- no controls to ensure adequate or appropriate employment opportunities.
Also of major concern is that the process undertaken for the this redevelopment (known under various names – concept plan, incorporated plan or design development plan), will exclude third party objections (from surrounding residents and residents of the site) to all future plan changes – only objections to building specifics (eg. type of finish) will be permitted once the amendments are passed. The rationale being that residents have already been provided with sufficient information and opportunities to object.
Given the above lack of details and controls and the consequences re community consultation mentioned above, a concerned residents has forwarded the below sample objection letter and requested readers submit objections to Council by 9th October.
We encourage residents to formally object to the Amendments after considering the issues raised in the letter. Feel free to cut, paste and personalize the below or download, sign and send the PDF version. Please submit by 9/10.
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Strategic Planning Department
Glen Eira City Council
PO Box 42
Caulfield South, VIC, 3162
Dear Councillors,
Re: East Village Development
I wish to lodge a formal objection to the proposed East Village Development Precinct Amendment C155 and request several changes to the amendment.
- 3000 apartments represent an overdevelopment of the site and should be substantially reduced.
- Eight storey apartment towers do not fit with the neighbourhood character. No higher than four storeys should be built. This will also take into consideration the over shadowing of Virginia Park and residential houses to the East. This must be mandated not preferred as stated.
- Size of the apartments should reflect real housing diversity. There is no commitment required of the developer to deliver x number of three bedroom apartments, x number of 2 bedroom apartments or x number of 1 bedroom apartments. History shows that there will be a considerably larger number of 1 bedroom apartments so that they can cash in on more rather than less apartments.
- That the developer be required to pay more than 5.7% in an open space levy and should be pay 11.4% on all land developed for commercial and residential
- The area is poorly serviced by public transport and will result in more traffic chaos and until this is addressed the development should not go ahead.
- Full signalisation of Cobar St prior to any development and construction.
- An assessment of the proposed car parking provision including suitability of scale location and capacity to service the anticipated car parking demand.
- Council displays any development plans and notifies the residents.
More information is required as it is not clear how the following will be funded:
- Public Acquisition on 960 North Rd, East Bentleigh
- The signalisation of Cobar St/North Rd/ Crosbie Rd intersections
- Any necessary upgrades to those networks
- The availability and capacity of the electricity, drainage, sewer water and digital networks
Yours truly
Name:
Address:
Mobile:
Signature:
Date:
Glen Eira Residents' Association Inc 