Yarra Council invokes special clause to allow families to stay in Abbotsford industrial zone

THREE Melbourne families facing eviction from their homes in an industrial area have had a reprieve and will be able to stay.

Jaime Steven and Faith Campbell with their 2yo son Harper outside their property of 3.5 years in Mayfield St Abbotsford. The area has been zoned industrial and Yarra Council is considering evicting them. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

THE Abbotsford families living in an industrial zone have had a win and can stay in their homes.

Yarra Council last night considered a request from the families to rezone the area to mixed use, but rather than following a council officer recommendation not to do so, instead invoked a planning clause that is used in “extraordinary circumstances”.

Homeowners living at 5-15 Mayfield St will be allowed to stay under clause 52.03 of the Yarra Planning Scheme, which is used as a “last resort option” to allow “specific controls designed to achieve a particular land use”.

RELATED:Zoning spat could see families evicted

In other words, while the area will not be rezoned, it can be designated as land for residential use.

However, the council’s amendment will now need sign off from the State Planning Minister Richard Wynne, who is also the state Labor MP for Richmond.

Jaime Steven, one of six Mayfield St residents to make a submission to council about the rezoning, said he was relieved the amendment was passed.

“We are just really pleased council have taken so much time and consideration in making a judgment on this and treated it as unique proposition,” Mr Steven said.

Mr Steven, whose wife Faith Campbell is due to give birth to their second child next week, said a decision against residents would have forced them out.

“If we had to sell the property as just a commercial site, then we would have lost all the equity that we have spent so much money, time and hard work on the property,” he said.

However, the building will still need some work to ensure it means residential building and fire regulations.

That could cost up to $500,000, but Mr Steven said residents were happy to fork out for the expensive bill to get the townhouses and units compliant with the residential building codes.

“We have always undertaken that we would, and understood, we would carry out those works,” he said.

“It ($500,000) is a very small price to pay as opposed to losing the equity and difference in value between the properties being residential, with what we bought them at, or commercial units.

“We are just really grateful for the council support and really looking forward to getting the support of the minister and getting our lives back to normal.”