Huntingfield housing subdivision slammed despite crisis

A local council is hamstrung, unable to reject a contentious 470-lot subdivision in its catchment, saying a lack of infrastrcture and new ‘fast-track’ laws are to blame – despite the state’s severe housing crisis.

A WAR of words has erupted between the Mayor of Kingborough and the state’s Planning Minister over a controversial proposed 470-lot residential development at Huntingfield.

As a draft master plan for the large-scale project was released, Cr Dean Winter spoke out, saying council would not have discretion to reject the proposal because of amended planning rules.

He also criticised the lack of infrastructure planning to support the new homes at the Channel Hwy site, which is 3.5km from Kingston.

A portion of the lots will be designated for social and affordable housing.

Aerial photos of new Kingston development. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A Housing Land Supply Order to rezone the 67ha of government land passed through both houses of parliament in September as part of a response to the state’s housing crisis.

Cr Winter said the council did not expect Housing and Planning Minister Roger Jaensch to use fast-track legislation to override local planning controls.

“Had this gone through the standard rezoning process, in my view, it is highly unlikely it would have been approved,’’ Cr Winter said.

Concerned local resident, Matt Jones and Kingborough Mayor, Dean Winter are pictured at Huntingfield where a proposed new suburb is to be built. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“It is almost a year since Minister Jaensch started on this ‘fast-track’ process. It really is a farce because we still have no development application. His process is not very fast at all.”

Cr Winter said Mr Jaensch set the planning rules, which did not allow room for councillors’ personal views about the appropriateness of the zoning or infrastructure.

“I will not allow Minister Jaensch to go around pretending that council will have the discretion to reject this project for any reason. It cannot,’’ he said.

Labor's infrastructure minister, David O'Byrne and shadow housing minister, Alison Standen speak at Huntingfield where a proposed new suburb is to be built. Pictured is a view of the site. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“We simply assess whether the development application meets the requirement of the scheme.”

Mr Jaensch said the Huntingfield order was passed by both houses of parliament under the provisions of the Housing Land Supply Act.

“As Mayor Winter should be aware, it is now the council’s responsibility to assess any subsequent [development application] against its Planning Scheme, and the council ultimately has the power to reject a DA if it fails to meet those provisions,’’ Mr Jaensch said.

“Mayor Winter may want to play both sides on this issue, but we would urge him to please stick to the facts.”

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Cr Winter said there was no infrastructure plan to support the new homes, saying a planning study for the Channel Hwy between Kingston and Margate was overdue.

Mr Jaensch said the subdivision would be delivered in conjunction with private sector partners, but at least 15 per cent of the lots would be retained to deliver new social and affordable housing.

He said the government hoped to start work later this year and have the first land available in late 2022.

Consultation will be conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with submissions open to June 26.

The move to rezone the land sparked backlash last year, with a public meeting of 300 people in Kingborough in July indicating community concerns.

Nearby residents raised concerns about access points, density and a lack of infrastructure, medical services and schools.