Huge Wantirna townhouse complex approved after developer skips council, goes to VCAT

NEIGHBOURS of a massive housing development approved for Wantirna say the decision-making process is “outrageous” after the developer bypassed the council and went straight to VCAT for approval.

A house will be bulldozed to make way for the construction of 59 townhouses on this site at 321 Wantirna Rd. Picture: Steve Tanner

A DEVELOPER has thumbed his nose at Knox Council and gone straight to the state’s planning authority to get approval for a massive housing development in Wantirna.

Furious neighbours say their concerns were “ignored” and described the decision-making process as “outrageous” after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal approved 59 townhouses at 321 Wantirna Rd to replace a house and tennis court.

Knox Council’s city development director Angelo Kourambas said applicant Ghan Bavadiya asked the council to postpone a decision on the permit while he addressed concerns that Melbourne Water had about flooding.

Mr Kourambas said the council understood Mr Bavadiya would not lodge an appeal at VCAT against failure to determine the application within 60 statutory days.

But, after resolving Melbourne Water’s concerns, Mr Bavadiya then lodged the VCAT appeal rather than submit the revised proposal to the council, Mr Kourambas said.

There are already plenty of townhouse complexes in the Watirna area, including this one next door to the site at 315 Wantirna Rd. Picture: Steve Tanner

Mr Kourambas said the council was “disappointed” but would endorse the plan with permit conditions.

The site, which sold for a whopping $9.7m two years ago is now up for sale again with the permit in place.

And the agent said he had 50 inquiries in just one day — most from foreign investors — after advertising the property last week and estimated it could fetch about $14 million.

VCAT member Kerrie Birtwistle acknowledged residents’ fears about traffic congestion on busy Wantirna Rd, but said the potential impact on parking and traffic was not enough of a reason to deny the permit.

The property sold for $9.7m two years ago and is back on the market with the permit in place. Picture: Steve Tanner

Neighbours say traffic in the area is getting worse. Picture: Steve Tanner

The decision has angered neighbours who fear the area is being overdeveloped.

The Warren family moved into nearby Garrison Grove five years ago and said traffic was getting worse.

Laura Warren said more townhouses were being built around them and this latest plan would create even more congestion and parking problems.

She said neighbours felt “ignored” and the decision making process was “outrageous”.

“I think it’s ridiculous that ratepayers have absolutely no say of what goes on around them,” she said.

The council received six objections, with concerns over the design, impact on neighbours, amenity, traffic and car parking.

Collier ward’s Cr Jackson Taylor said he was “disheartened” and “unimpressed” with the way it was approved.

“It doesn’t sit right with me,” Cr Taylor said.

Mr Bavadiya has not responded to requests for comment.