Overdevelopment
My question is for the Minister for Planning.
Many residents in the suburb of Fawkner have contacted me in recent times to make their voices heard at what they see as the continued overdevelopment of their area.
The Fawkner Residents Association has been leading this issue.
They tell me that high-density development is deliberately excluding seniors, the mobility challenged and families with disabled children. Residents say their appeals to Moreland council on these issues have been ignored.
In the last six months alone, 20 development projects were approved or are currently under consideration for Fawkner. That’s 20 backyards, front yards and nature strips that will be lost.
Will the minister commit to meeting with representatives of the Fawkner Residents Association and hear their concerns over the ongoing development of their area? And if the minister so wishes, he would be very welcome at their community rally on 20 March at 110 Jukes Road to talk to them all there.
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Constituency question 12/4/21
Answer:
Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing):
I thank the Member for the Northern Metropolitan Region for her Constituency Question. In 2017, I released the Victorian Government’s metropolitan planning strategy Plan Melbourne 2017–2050 to guide the growth of the city over the next three decades. The strategy integrates long-term land use, infrastructure and transport planning to accommodate our growing population. I have also introduced new residential zones with mandatory height provisions and a minimum garden area requirement to protect the green open character of our neighbourhoods. For higher density developments, the Better Apartments Design Standards ensure quality design of dwellings, including applying universal design principles to meet the diverse needs and abilities of different households.
The Moreland City Council is the responsible authority for planning permit applications in Fawkner. When assessing any planning permit application, the council must consider the objectives of state planning policy, local planning policies, and all of the objections and submissions it receives. I encourage the Fawkner Residents Association to continue to speak with the council about its concerns and to discuss planning for the local area.