Waverley Park residents and Monash Council still waiting for Mirvac underground powerlines move

PEOPLE living on this estate in Melbourne’s east say it is “beyond a joke” they are still waiting for promised underground powerlines.

Powerlines and unfinished costruction in Waverley Park are still an issue as no decision has still been made about whether Mirvac will have to put them underground. Waverley park Action Group president John Lourens and Cr Robert Davies want action taken. Picture: Brendan Francis

EXASPERATED Waverley Park residents and Monash Council have been waiting for eight months for a decision on whether developer Mirvac will be forced to move powerlines underground - and they’re over it.

The council is writing to the State Government to complain about the lack of progress on the long-running issue, and asking for a firm date by which the planning minister will show his cards.

RELATED: Planning ‘backlog’ blamed for slow decision on Waverley Park powerlines

“The residents and homeowners of Waverley Park shouldn’t be left in limbo any longer,” mayor Paul Klisaris said.

“They deserve what they were promised years ago in the contracts of sale they signed to purchase their properties.”

In 2002, Mirvac was issued a planning permit to develop the Waverley Park estate, with a condition that required that the high voltage powerlines be placed underground. Mirvac is seeking permission from the government to remove that condition.

The recommendations of an Independent Advisory Committee were provided to planning minister Richard Wynne in February — but residents and Council are still in the dark.

John Lourens, a spokesman for the residents’ action group, told Leader the issue had been dragging on for more than a decade and was now “beyond a joke”.

“We contacted the offices of the planning minister several times this year, and each time we’ve been fobbed off,” Mr Lourens said. “I find it hard to believe that you would be working on something for eight months and still not have some recommendation.”

Cr Klisaris said the council would stand by residents in their fight to get Mirvac to fulfil “the legal and moral commitments it made”.

Council’s letter to Mr Wynne will ask for a firm date on which he will indicate his position on the issue.

A spokeswoman for Mr Wynne, Rebecca Thistleton, said that the minister appreciated the importance of the issue to local residents and was taking “the time needed to work through the report”.

Ms Thistleton said the Mr Wynne would provide an answer by the end of the year.

The waiting game

August 2002:

  Mirvac Ltd issued a permit to develop the Waverley Park estate, with a condition requiring high-voltage power lines be placed underground

2002-2008:

  600 homes were sold on the basis the powerlines would be underground

December 2008:

  Mirvac began marketing new homes on the basis that powerlines “might” be put underground

September 2009: 

Mirvac lodged an application with the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, to amend the permit and remove the requirement. The application was withdrawn in 2010.

2012:

  Residents’ petition with more than 800 signatures tabled in Victorian Parliament.

August 2013:

  Mirvac submitted a second application to amend the permit, which was refused by Mr Guy.

May 2014:

  Mirvac lodges an appeal with VCAT against the Minister’s decision

August 2014:

  Mr Guy called the matter to be heard in front of an Independent Advisory Committee in place of the VCAT hearing.

December 2014:

  The Independent Advisory Committee held public hearings

February 2015:

  Committee delivered its recommendations to the current Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne.