1. be consistent with local council concept plans;Logical inclusion should be about bringing developable land inside the UGB so that Melbourne is able to make use of the maximum land available for housing and development.
2. not have major flora and fauna, cultural heritage or topographical issues;
3. be adjacent to the existing UGB;
4. have existing servicing infrastructure available;
5. have no major external cost to develop;
6. use existing community facilities available in the vicinity;
7. be located near public transport; and
8. be able to be developed for housing as a priority.
CASEY’S housing areas may be considerably expanded by a fhreview of land inside an enlarged Urban Growth Boundary, Planning Minister Matthew Guy has announced.
He said it was essential to counter critical land shortages with a new look at areas excluded in the 2009 boundary changes.
“I have established a clear and fair process involving the Growth Areas Authority and an independent advisory committee to consider the logical inclusion of properties within Melbourne’s UGB,” Mr Guy said.
The review will look land adjoining approved housing areas and those affected will be able to make submissions.
“Strict criteria will apply and projects must meet particular standards. The Government will appoint a probity auditor to oversee this process.
“It is only fair that proponents, councils and neighbouring property owners all have an opportunity to comment and appear fhbefore the advisory committee.”
Though welcomed by builders, the change was criticised by the Opposition.
Upper House Labor MP for Eastern Victoria Johan Scheffer said many land owners would be disappointed the review would hear only the opinions of people who made submissions in 2009.
“Mr Guy’s review will just be a repeat of 2009 - the same reviewers reviewing the same submissions they got two years ago.
“Thousands of people have moved into Cardinia and Casey over the past two years and many new businesses have started up. They should be able to put their views to the Government.”
COLDSTREAM residents have backed expanding their town for the third time in as many surveys.
Just over 50 per cent of respondents to a recent Yarra Ranges Council survey backed expanding the town, while most also supported preventing further subdivisions. Most of those who backed expanding Coldstream thought it should be done in the paddocks to the west of Maroondah Highway, across the road from the residential area.
Mario Galteri, part of Coldstream 2020, a group pushing to expand Coldstream’s residential boundaries, welcomed the results. “It is the third time that the residents have agreed that Coldstream should be expanded,” he blogged.
About 800 surveys were mailed out and 268 responses received, a rate the council called “very high”. More than three-quarters of responses came from Coldstream residents.
It followed surveys by Coldstream 2020 and Evelyn state Liberal MP Christine Fyffe, which returned similar results.
