EXPOSING DEVELOPERS WHO FAIL TO APPRECIATE AND RESPECT COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENT AND SPIRIT OF THE LAND
Excavation starts Residents up in arms by Natalie Birch Work has begun on a controversial new housing development in Bolton St, Lower Plenty. Residents, who were concerned about environmental damage and the effects on their neighbourhood character, had reacted with fury when developer Australand proposed to build 18 two-storey homes at 108-110 Bolton Street, on the corner of Main Road.
In November last year Banyule councillors unanimously rejected the application, describing the proposal as an overdevelopment of the land, previously the site of two houses. But the council’s decision was overturned when Australand successfully appealed at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Trinbunal last year.
The tribunal gave approval for 17 two-storey houses, instead of the 18 the developer had sought, prompting Cr Dale Peters to launch a furious attack on the panel. The Hawdon Ward councillor called on the State Government to “clean out” the tribunal and appoint staff who were more concerned with residents’ needs (DV Leader, Aug 1). Cr Peters, was one of many people invited to the launch at Eltham’s Wiregrass Gallery last week of the new Australand development, now named Monarch Ridge Estate. Last week Australand spokesman Craig Little said building would begin in March.
