VCAT approves six new houses for small Point Cook street

With just 12 houses, Cowan Parkway could be called Point Cook’s tiniest street. But a state planning tribunal ruling is about to change all that — and neighbours aren’t happy.

VCAT has ruled in favour of the proposal for a quiet Point Cook street.

A tiny Point Cook street with just 12 houses on it is set to grow by half after the state’s planning tribunal gave developers the green light to stick six more homes there.

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Wyndham Council approved plans to put half a dozen double-storey houses on Cowan Parkway but neighbours took their fight against the proposal to VCAT amid concerns over traffic and parking.

They argued allowing more cars — two per household — along the 140m street would “compromise the safety of residents (including children), and will hinder access of waste collection and emergency vehicles”.

They also said the dwellings were too “big and imposing”.

But the council’s traffic engineers said the development would “not place an unreasonable burden on Cowan Parkway and the adjoining road network”.

Photos tendered to the tribunal showed the street was already crowded with parked cars.

VCAT member Bill Sibonis ruled the new homes satisfied parking requirements and it would be unfair to conclude they would add to existing issues.

“If on-street parking occurs in a lawful manner, then there is sufficient space for access and manoeuvring by waste collection and emergency vehicles,” he said.

“The expectation is that the occupants (of the new homes) will utilise the on-site carparking.

“Although the proposal will increase traffic in Cowan Parkway … this is well within the capacity of the street.”