Height limit announced for Upper Ferntree Gully buildings

BUILDING heights at the gateway to the Dandenong Ranges will be capped at two storeys in a move the State Government says will protect the area’s character.

New developments in the Upper Ferntree Gully activity centre will be capped at two storeys, the State Government has announced. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

BUILDING heights in Upper Ferntree Gully’s activity centre will be capped at two storeys in a move the State Government says will protect the town’s character.

It marks the end of a long-running debate, with Planning Minister Richard Wynne approving a height limit of 9m for new development.

The government also announced a heritage overlay for the Dandenong Ranges Visitor Information Centre and the train station.

The blue centre, on Burwood Highway, closed in June because of a lack of visitors.

Yarra Ranges Tourism’s closure of Upper Ferntree Gully, Healesville visitor centres a blow to volunteers

In a statement, Monbulk state Labor MP James Merlino said the move would protect the art deco architecture of the centre and preserve the train station.

A herigate overlay has been placed on the Dandenong Ranges Visitor Information Centre, which closed last month because of a lack of visitors. Picture: Steve Tanner

Mr Merlino said Upper Ferntree Gully was “one of Melbourne’s most picturesque areas and deserves protection from inappropriate development”.

Knox mayor Darren Pearce would not comment on whether he supported the height limits.

“It’s irrelevant what I personally think,” he said.

“We’ve invested enough time and energy in this debate. We’ll just move on.

“I’ll be interested to see how the activity centre develops over the next five years.”

The decision came after months of protests and petitions.

In March, councillors controversially scrapped Amendment C141, which included plans for strict 8.5m controls for most of the town.

Upper Ferntree Gully building height limits back on agenda

That decision was against recommendations from council officers and an independent planning panel, which recommended two-storey limits, except at the 1812 Theatre.

On April 10, councillors voted to ask Planning Minister Richard Wynne to prepare, adopt and approve a new amendment that was in accordance with the previous recommendations of the independent panel’s report.

Opposition planning spokesman David Davis and fellow Liberal MP Edward O’Donohue also spoke out at the time in favour of height limits, saying they would introduce the amendment if they formed government.

Locals rallied for protection for the area and are hailing the decision a win for people power.

Knox Appropriate Development Alliance spokeswoman Catherine Kruse told a community meeting in May that Upper Ferntree Gully was “unique” and deserved to be protected from intense development.

Last night, residents were hailing the announcement as a win for people power.

On its Facebook page, the Upper FTGully Foothills Society described the news as “a sensible outcome for a version of Upper Ferntree Gully we can all enjoy, which has now been vindicated”.

State Planning Minister Richard Wynne said in a statement: “Activity Centres play a crucial role accommodating population growth, but we need to make sure they are developed sensibly and in line with community expectations.”