23 May 2013 Letter to Dept of Planning and Community Development
regarding minimum lot sizes in the Low Density Residential Zone
24 Nov 2012 Letter to Members contains an update of the Planning Zone “Reform”.
Read the WCA’s submission – Reformed Zones for Victoria WCA Submission
Warrandyte is facing its biggest ever threat!
The Baillieu Government is proposing to:
- Allow two houses on every residential block in Warrandyte township; your next door neighbour can subdivide their block without any notification and there will be nothing you can do about it!
- Enable any block of 1 acre or more, with town sewerage, to be subdivided
- Dramatically increase the size and types of developments in the Green Wedge
Baillieu’s changes enable the subdividing of Warrandyte (and the rest of Melbourne) without any plan for providing more schools, roads or fire safety infrastructure.
The Bushfire Royal Commission recommended “substantially restricting new developments and subdivisions in those areas of highest risk…” Baillieu is ignoring the Royal Commission — more people will be put in harm’s way in favour of quick profits for developers. And Planning Minister Matthew Guy couldn’t care less. His response to bushfire concerns … ”why do the people making these claims still live there?” (The Age, 10 Sep)
Large areas of significant environmental value, our green wedge, will be destroyed. There will be more houses, more people, more traffic and a lot less open space. The changes are a wish list for developers
The changes are being rushed through. The government has only allowed until September 21st for community comment.
If where you live matters, speak up NOW! If the legislation is passed, it will be too late and our open spaces will be gone forever.
The WCA is preparing a submission and we’d like to include as many comments from Warrandyte residents as we can. Email info@warrandyte.org.au and tell us (a sentence or two is fine) what you think of the proposed changes.
Or better still; send your comments directly to the government. It’s easy.
How to comment on the proposed Planning Changes
You don’t have to put forward a technical or professional submission. The Planning Department is only asking for comments. It’s about having a say about the things you care about.
Here’s how
- Go to www.dpcd.vic.gov.au and click on Have your say and keep informed on current planning issues’ (Under the banner Get Involved)
- Click Reformed Zones for Victoria and go to Providing Comment at the bottom of the page.
- Open the online form, fill in your details (which you can choose to keep confidential) and write your comments.
- If you want, send a copy to us info@warrandyte.org or to our local member ryan.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au
Some examples of what locals have written
It is outrageous that just three years after Black Saturday our State Government, in direct contravention of the findings of the Bushfire Royal Commission, would enable a massive increase in population in one of the state’s most at risk bushfire areas. Jason Patton, Warrandyte
The proposed changes allow economic and financial interests to override the interests of the Warrandyte community. Damian Coutts, Warrandyte
The Hamer Liberal government created green wedges around Melbourne as a breathing space for the city. …Leave the green wedge as it is… being ignored are the findings of the bushfire royal commission and extra traffic congestion. Bev and John Hanson, Warrandyte
Save Victoria’s fair, green havens from the unholy trinity of government, developers, and nice people who passively let them have their way. Doug Mealy, Warrandyte
For more info, phone Warrick Leeson on 0439 347 797 or David Ellis on 9844-3292
Or watch the short video ‘New Zones for Warrandyte’- www.warrandyte.tv.