Call for expansion | Upper Yarra Mail | Star News Group Local community news
By Kath Gannaway 24th May 2011 02:00:24 AM
A MAJORITY of Coldstream residents responding to a Yarra Ranges Council survey have come out in favour of expanding the residential boundary.
But with the most favoured area for expansion being land to the west of the Maroondah Highway – 63.2 per cent of respondents – being zoned green wedge, the State Government would need to come on board to make the land available for development.
The survey was sent to households and businesses in Coldstream, with 33 per cent returned.
Councillor Jeanette McRae instigated the survey, saying she wanted to know what local residents wanted for their township.
“The key messages were that people valued their rural setting, their location and sense of community,” she said.
She said a majority of respondents supported council's proposed C97 planning scheme amendment which would control subdivision within the existing estate, but noted also that a majority of people supported expansion outside the estate boundaries.
Mario Galteri, on behalf of the Coldstream 2020 group pushing for increased housing and business development in Coldstream welcomed the survey results, saying it was the third survey in the past 12 months that had supported expansion.
“The only question that now remains is, in which direction,” he said.
“The Coldstream 2020 group has always suggested that the Post Office be the focal point of the township and growth (expansion) should radiate from this point.
“There is land available around the Post Office to increase the size of the shopping centre if required.”
Land around the Post Office would also be suitable for a retirement village.
Here the elderly would have easy access to shops.
The survey results however did not support that proposal, with only 8.8 per cent of the respondents indicating they would like to see land to the west, north and south of the existing estate opened up for development.
Despite local support for some expansion, Cr McRae said the State Government's recent announcement stated their review of the Urban Growth Boundary would be on established growth corridors and did not include Yarra Ranges Shire.
Mr Galteri however believes Yarra Ranges Council needs to be pro-active in making a case for rezoning to meet the wishes and needs of the Coldstream community.
“We believe that it is now time for the council to present a case to the State Government for the expansion of the UGB around Coldstream,” Mr Galteri said.
“Christine Fyffe (Liberal MP for Evelyn) and Matthew Guy (State Planning Minister) are both aware of the Coldstream 2020 proposal and I hope they both support it,” he said.
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