Planning Panels Victoria report recommends two-storey height limits in Upper Ferntree Gully

BUILDING heights in Upper Ferntree Gully should be no more than two storeys, except for a theatre to build a tower, a State Government report has found.

Upper Ferntree Gully residents Rachael, Hailey, Robert Jungwirth, Peter Smith and Ann Roberts were concerned about proposed three-storey height limits in the area. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

BUILDING heights in Upper Ferntree Gully should be no more than two storeys, except for a theatre to build a tower, a State Government report has found.

Planning Panels Victoria looked at Knox Council’s amendment C141, which proposed three-storey height limits in the middle of the town’s activity centre.

There was community backlash against the plans, after a year of consultation by the council found people did not want buildings higher than two storeys in the area.

Upper Ferntree Gully height limit changes again in spotlight

The independent report, which followed a three-day public hearing in November last year, recommended the mandatory maximum height limit for the entire Upper Ferntree Gully Activity Centre be 8.5m, or two storeys, except at 1-3 Rose St, so the 1812 Theatre can build a fly tower.

The report questioned why the council changed the proposed building height limits from two storeys, to three storeys in some areas.

“There is insufficient information to explain why Council decided to change the building heights beyond what was recommended in the Strategic Plan before the Amendment was exhibited and insufficient information to explain why it sought to reverse the building heights and increase them elsewhere after it was exhibited,” the report said.

A Knox Council-commissioned assessment of the proposal found “there was little evidence that there would be a substantial demand for apartments”, in favour of townhouse, villa and dual occupancy accommodation, the report said.

The report concluded that “the unique nature of the Activity Centre and comprehensive analysis underpinning the Amendment strategically justifies mandatory maximum building height provisions”.

“The maximum building height needs to be applied at 8.5m (two storeys) to align with the Dandenong foothills policy and protect ridgeline views from key vantage points,” the report said.

“Applying a site-specific mandatory maximum building height of 12m (three storeys) would enable the 1812 Theatre to construct a fly tower and would not adversely impact ridgeline views.”

The report also recommends applying a heritage overlay to the Dandenong Ranges Visitor Information Centre on Burwood Highway, and Upper Ferntree Gully train station.

Former Knox councillor Karin Orpen hopes the council will adopt independent recommendations on height limits in Upper Fertntree Gully.

Recently retired councillor Karin Orpen, who fought for the two-storey height limit, said the recommendations were “not unexpected”.

“It is vindication of the process and vindication of the official assessment by council officers,” Ms Orpen said.

“It’s aligned with the community’s view and all we need now is for the council to honour the recommendations of the independent umpire.”

In a statement to Leader, the UpperFTGully Foothills Society said it welcomed the recommendation to limit most buildings to two storeys.

“This is still the tallest height limit of any neighbourhood activity centre in the Foothills and we are grateful of its unique significance being recognised,” the statement said.

The group also thanked people who voiced their concerns about three-storey buildings heights.

“The petition signers and submitters of objections were all instrumental in showing the panel that the height submitted by councillors was inappropriate,” it said.

“In numbers totalling over 1700, these people joined to form a strong voice that show we want Upper Gully preserved and only minimally developed, for the sake of all future generations.”

The group hoped councillors would “do the right thing” and support the recommendations, but “we remain cautious of the eventual outcome”.