Watsonia 21-dwelling development plan between schools and oval

BANYULE Council is hoping to sandwich a massive development between two schools and a sports oval in Watsonia. But neighbours are furious.

AK Lines Reserve, Watsonia.

BANYULE Council is hoping to sandwich a massive development between two schools and a sports oval in Watsonia.

A planning permit application for 15 three-storey and six single-storey dwellings at 21-31 Knight St in Watsonia has been lodged with the council by its major properties manager.

The site, between AK Lines Reserve and Watsonia Primary School/Concord School’s junior campus, is 6785sq m.

It would then be sold by the council with approved planning permits.

Banyule mayor Mark Di Pasquale.

The average size of the townhouses is under 200sq m.

Mayor Mark Di Pasquale said the reason behind developing the site was it lacked “passive surveillance” and had seen illegal rubbish dumping and anti-social behaviour.

“Medium density accommodation is in short supply within Watsonia and this development will help alleviate this shortfall,” he said.

“Furthermore, a development at this location will ... save council money through reduced illegal rubbish collection, provide additional revenue to be reinvested into the community.”

However, neighbours disagree and are seeing red.

Mick Parmenter said dubious behaviour “doesn’t happen a great deal” and he suggested installing lights as a deterrent rather than carving up precious parkland.

“Why can’t they make it a decent play area, install lights and use it as it’s designed for?” Mr Parmenter said. “There is going to be no park left and who would want to live on the fence of a sports ground with the lights and noises from footy and cricket all year round?”

Bryan, who did not want his surname published, said neighbours were vehemently against the plan. He took aim at the lack of carparking allocations within the complex and chopping of more than 50 per cent of the trees.

“They say it fits within the neighbourhood character and that couldn’t be any further from the truth, he said.

A community consultation session will be held at Watsonia Scout Hall, adjacent to the property, between 6.30pm and 8pm on Friday.