Huge development plans to shape Gisborne, Riddells Creek
They were to be two decisions that could change the face of the Macedon Ranges forever. A huge 1290-lot proposal for Riddells Creek and another 711-lot plan for Gisborne both came before the council. Here’s the council’s next move.
North West
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Community members turned out in full force at a Macedon Ranges Council meeting to oppose two major development plans that would shake up the shire.
Councillors voted to undertake community consultation on a proposed precinct structure plan in Riddells Creek, north of Amess Rd.
Concept plans obtained by the Leader showed a proposal for 1290 lots in the area, currently zoned for urban growth.
The council also knocked back a 711-lot development plan in Gisborne, along Willowbank Rd.
Gisborne resident Ben Peck, who organised letter drops in the lead-up to the council decision, said he was pleased with the outcome.
“I think they did the right thing and I think they were pressured into doing the right thing by the weight of the objections,” he said.
“I think people are angry and they don’t feel like they have a voice in these matters.”
As revealed by the Leader, the council will now fight the decision at VCAT because it failed to make a decision “in a reasonable time frame”.
Addressing councillors at the meeting, shire planning director Angela Hughes said the council’s “starting position for council at VCAT would be that the application should be refused”.
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Mr Peck said 166 objections raised concerns with the size of the development, lack of open space and small lot sizes.
“The amount of support we had blew me away,” he said.
“It shows a lot of people have an opinion on this and it’s not in line with the developments they want to see in the area.”
Details on community consultation for the Riddells Creek plans have yet to be decided.
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