Planning loophole leaves Ringwood residents powerless to stop 28 Montalbo Rd boarding house build

Ringwood North residents desperate to stop a boarding house opening on their quiet street have been left with no options to oppose the “insane” build due to a planning loophole.

A statewide planning loophole has left dozens of Ringwood North neighbours utterly powerless to oppose the construction of a rooming house on their quiet street.

The yet-to-be-built nine-bedroom home — planned for 28 Montalbo Rd — does not require any building permits, due to a hole in statewide legislation that allows rooming houses to be built anywhere provided they follow certain requirements.

As long as the boarding house has fewer than 10 bedrooms, 12 or less occupants and shared entry facilities including a kitchen and living room, the development does not need a permit.

And without a permit, there is no requirement for neighbours to be alerted as to the planning designs or likely tenants and no avenue to oppose the new build.

This has left Loughnan Hill residents completely powerless to object to a rooming house planned for their street, less than 150m away from a preschool.

The site is 150m away from the Pinemont Preschool. Picture: Supplied.

Local resident Mark Crawley branded the development plan as an “insane idea”.

“This is not the place for a boarding house,” he said.

“It should be build close to public transport and other amenities, not on a quiet residential street near schools.”

Mr Crawley said more housing was needed but “common sense must prevail” in the type of housing that should be built.

“That block has always been empty and we always knew a house would be built there,” he said.

“You could build a family home or three units that could house three families.

“That is what would be appropriate for this area.”

The site has been vacant for more than 15 years.

Mr Crawley — who has lived locally for 22 years — said he was preparing to sell his house because of the impact the boarding house could have on locals.

“No one cares about the residents who already live here,” he said.

“Someone needs to have the balls to talk to us.”

A render of a bedroom in the proposed boarding house. Picture: Ko Living Ringwood

In a statement to residents, Ko Living Ringwood — who will operate the facility — said the rooming house was designed for young professionals and would “fit neatly” into the existing neighbourhood.

“This is not a social housing project, not government-supported accommodation, and not a short-stay rental,” the letter read.

“Our vision is to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing for early-career professionals who may not yet be ready to purchase a home, but want to live independently and respectfully within a suburban community.”

Ko Living Ringwood also stated the boarding house would have professional property management and would screen all tenants to “ensure a stable, mature, and considerate resident group”.

“We are proud to have successfully delivered a similar co-living residence in Frankston, which

remains fully tenanted, well-maintained, and positively received by its surrounding community,” the letter read.

“We truly believe this project offers a constructive solution to Victoria’s housing needs, while

aligning with local values of stability, respect, and community spirit.”

Ko Living operates another boarding home in Frankston. Picture: Ko Living Ringwood

Despite assurances from developers, residents remain concerned the rooming house will be disruptive to the community citing traffic and parking issues — as only two parking spaces are planned for the rooming house — as well as worries of how the space will be used long term.

“What happens if this facility is later sold or if they cannot fill up the rooms?” Mr Crawley said.

“We still do not get a say in what is built next to us.”

Acting Maroondah City Council mayor Linda Hancock said council had “no power” to consider impacts boarding houses could have on the community.

“Rooming houses do not require a planning permit if the proposal complies with rooming house requirements,” she said.

“This applies to the proposed development at 28 Montalbo Rd.

“It is only if a proposal does not meet the planning scheme requirements that a

planning permit would be required to be lodged for council’s consideration.

“Given no planning permits are required for this specific proposal, council does not

have the power to consider locational attributes.”

Despite this, more than a dozen residents have emailed the council with their concerns about the development.

Ko Living Ringwood has been contacted for comment.