Eli Waters residents raise concerns on housing development

A controversial housing development has been been discussed again by council this week, as residents voice concerns the construction will “rip the heart” out of the area. Read what they had to say:

A controversial housing development in Eli Waters has returned to council in a meeting on Wednesday.

Eli Waters residents protested against the development earlier this year, concerned if the application was approved it would result in a lack of green space.

Eli Waters resident Gail Rennardson attended the council meeting on Wednesday in objection to the application.

“There are plenty of other areas in the Bay for housing estates,” she said in her presentation to councillors.

“Eli Waters is a planned suburb, a good and successful plan which was approved by council years ago.

“I implore you to stand up and be counted, oppose this development and encourage the building of the 18 hole championship golf course which council approved in 2018, only a few short years ago.”

Outside of the meeting, fellow Eli Waters resident Valerie Hatton said the golf course is one of most beautiful parts of the area.

“The golf course at Eli Waters was originally designed 25 years ago,” she said.

“It was part of the original plan of Eli Waters to have a lovely, open area in one with nature.

Valerie Hatton & Gail Rennardson are against the controversial development at Eli Waters.

“The actual golf course itself has been one of the most beautiful areas, it’s full of many birds, it has turtles, frogs, kangaroos...

“It will rip the heart out of Eli Waters if decide to build on this.”

Both Ms Rennardson and Ms Hatton expressed concerns about the vegetation that could be destroyed during the development, like the native kauri pines.

They also said the area is prone to flooding.

“It floods quite nastily, they’re going to have to do a lot of flood mitigation, which could cause run-off into other people’s properties,” Ms Hatton said.

After moving from the bustling life in Melbourne, Ms Hatton has lived in Eli Waters for 11 years, and said she knows too well what can happen when developing houses.

“It’s a slippery slope, you start just sticking houses in the middle of other houses, and it just goes on,” Ms Hatton said.

Both Ms Hatton and Ms Rennardson pointed out the construction alone would impact the community.

“We’re also going to have years of construction which is going to cause a lot ambiance for a lot of our people, we have an elderly population there, many of them can’t handle the dust, the noise...” Ms Hatton said.

Ms Rennardson told the Chronicle what she thought might be a compromise.

“There’s still room for a good number of blocks...

“If they left a perimeter around and keep the beautiful, native kauri trees, room for wildlife still to come near, between the new houses and the existing houses, I guess it would be a win-win in a way, which would be great.”

No decision was made by councillors in Wednesday’s meeting as they voted to let it lie on the table, and asked for further information.