C97 and Coldstream

Ref: http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Shared/ats.nsf/%28attachmentopen%29/33B04F8AA5991E01CA25797A000B4B94/$File/Yarra+Ranges+C97+Panel+Report.pdf?OpenElement

In part from the report

(v) Coldstream
Other inconsistencies relating to the application of the original ‘consolidation’
categories that were raised in submissions and that are of concern to the Panel were
explored in the hearings.
Based on its inspections, it appeared to the Panel that Coldstream clearly has
potential for some growth, especially flanking its two underutilised shopping areas.
All of Coldstream has been included in the least change area in Amendment C97. The
Panel believes that Coldstream has at least some potential for growth and it was
acknowledged in the 2007 strategy that a small part of it was suitable for
‘consolidation’. Even the identification of such a small area seems another lost
opportunity given that there are a number of well located sites in the town. For
instance, land on Murrac Street is close to a bus stop on Maroondah Hwy and is
across the road from parkland and a small shopping centre (including about a half a
dozen vacant shops). Amendment C97 provides little opportunity in Coldstream
other than for the detached housing that presently exists. It was apparent to the
Panel that there is little or no diversity in Coldstream with single storey dwellings on
‘quarter acre’ size blocks dominating. The 2007 Housing Strategy identified some
‘consolidation’ areas in Coldstream but Amendment C97 includes all of the town in
a Residential 3 Zone with DDO5 that will prohibit subdivision below 1000m2. This is
recipe for no change at all.
The Panel appreciates that there were some contrasting viewpoints from submitters
about whether Coldstream could sustain further development or not. Mrs Bouma
felt that the town was developed to its capacity in accordance with its original
subdivision. It was highlighted by others (Ms Clarke) that many of the town’s
services were dwindling due to a lack of patronage and could in fact benefit from
further population growth. Ms Clarke also cited Coldstream as an example where
she, as a long time resident, was not able to ‘downsize’ within the town and
therefore had to move.
Overall, it seemed to the Panel that Coldstream had many of the suburban
settlement and built form attributes of Mooroolbark and Chirnside Park, albeit in
more of a ‘village’ setting. To effectively limit any further development in this town
to more of the same seems to the Panel to be a lost opportunity.