Neighbours furious over mass developments in Narre Warren North threatening green wedge
Angry neighbours fear green wedge areas of Melbourne’s outer southeast are being destroyed by massive buildings, including the controversial Narre Warren North mosque. This is what they say will happen unless development is stopped.
South East
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Neighbours fear Casey’s green wedge zone is being destroyed by several mass developments they say will cause “irreversible damage” to protected parklands.
Kristy Pettifer, of Lysterfield, said three proposed Belgrave-Hallam Rd developments — a primary school, existing school expansion and the Narre Warren North mosque — would cause “irreversible effects” including congestion and environmental landscape damage.
“There has been a high volume of proposals and developments in the green wedge zone in recent years and we would like the council to support residents and stop them,” Ms Pettifer said.
“This area not designed for a high volume of traffic — it’s a real safety hazard.”
Ms Pettifer said the area’s horse riders were concerned about the sprawling developments.
“Through this area there are equestrian trails and if it turns into a concrete jungle then they can’t ride on them,” she said.
“Horses shouldn’t be ridden on bitumen roads and areas where there’s a high volume of traffic.”
“The purpose of the green wedge is to support rural and these developments represent the urban landscape therefore horse adjustment areas would have to go elsewhere.”
Ms Pettifer said neighbours were also furious about other large-scale Belgrave-Hallam Rd developments within the Yarra Ranges green wedge zone, which included a school for more than 350 students.
And in the Knox Council area, the Exclusive Brethren has proposed a massive church, also on green wedge land in Lysterfield.
A Narre Warren North neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he was also concerned about ongoing traffic and congestion caused by huge developments in the area.
“Residents are concerned about the surge of large-scale developments and it’s ruining our picturesque rural area,” he said.
“The area has become absolute chaos with congestion, the noise and we want it to stop.”
Councillor Rosalie Crestani said she empathised with residents’ concerns.
“I wouldn’t rule out all development in an area, particularly when it influences tourism, but at the same time I have to respond to community concerns and see what we can do to address them,” Cr Crestani said.
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Casey statutory planning and building services acting manager Nick Moore said residents concerned about green wedge planning applications could make a formal objection to the council.
“Council officers must consider all objections received to a planning application, up until a decision is made, to ensure that the community’s concerns are taken into consideration,” Mr Moore said.
“As part of an objection, neighbours may include suggestions for changes to the application that address some or all of their concerns.”