Cr Samantha Dunn: packed house for low density subdivisions hearing

report from the roundtable – 30 sep

The gallery was packed for the Yarra Ranges Council meeting to hear submissions about the proposed changes to Low Density Residential Zones (LDRZ). It was standing room only with residents from across the shire keen to put their point to council.

All but two councillors were there (Cr’s Witlox and McAllister absent) to hear community views about the change to allow the minimum subdivision size from 4,000 sq metres to 2,000 sq meters in LDRZ.

Forty five community members presented, a couple of them town planners representing groups of residents. One of the core themes of the night was the protection of the Dandenong Ranges as a place that unique, had high biodiversity values and the challenge of landslip and bushfire risk.

Even submitters from other parts of the Shire agreed that the Dandenongs was not the right place for smaller subdivisions in LDRZ and another consistent theme was the inappropriateness of a one size fits all approach.

The shire has received enormous feedback on the proposed changes, with 2,500 online surveys completed and 50 written submissions.

At first glance the consultation is closely split 50/50 between those in favour and those opposed to the 2,000 sq mt minimum. However when you look at the results per postcode they reveal a different story, very consistent with what was presented on Tuesday night.

Here are the results by postcode:

Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South and Tecoma (all postcode 3160) had an 18% response rate with 67% not supporting lower subdivisions

Healesville had an 18% response rate with 43.6% not supporting lower subdivisions (54% supported Lilydale had a 26.5% response rate with 48% of people not supporting lower subdivisions the changes)

Mooroolbark had a 33% response rate with 56% of people not supporting lower subdivisions

Mt Evelyn had a 16% response rate with 43% not supporting lower subdivisions (53.8% supported the changes)

Monbulk had a 13% response rate with 47% not supporting lower subdivisions (46% supported the changes)

Montrose had a 19% response rate with 59.6% not supporting lower subdivisions

Selby had a 72% response rate with 74% not supporting lower subdivisions

Upper Ferntree Gully had a 17% response rate with 68.7% not supporting lower subdivisions

Upwey had a 15% response rate with 70% not supporting lower subdivisions

Warburton had a 7% response rate with 53% not supporting lower subdivisions

Yarra Junction had a 24% response rate with 27% not supporting lower subdivisions (64% supported the changes)

From the survey responses the townships of Healesville, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Junction had a majority support for the lower subdivisions, whilst Monbulk was divided with 47%against/46%for. What’s also clear is the overwhelming lack of support for the changes in townships across the Dandenongs, with Selby being the most opposed at 74%.