NEWS DESK
Planning loss ‘appalls’ neighbours Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au NEARBY residents are appalled by the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal go ahead for 10 apartments with basement carpark to be built at 17 Williams Road, Mornington. The VCAT ruling overturned Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s knockback of Kencole Holdings’ bid for the mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, and removal of all vegetation on the double block. In refusing a permit, the council cited concerns with the size of the proposed building over neighbouring properties and streetscape – exacerbated by its high-set position on a corner. Officers described plans for the “large two-storey apartment complex as an inappropriate response to the surrounding residential context”. They said it would “significantly challenge the character of the area and would result in a built form outcome that is inconsistent with the future direction of the Mornington township”. The Williams Road area is earmarked for the council’s Neighbourhood Residential Zone which sets minimum 300 square metre lot sizes: the total area of number 17 is 1003 square metres, meaning the building of 10 apartments is “at odds” with this direction. Galling to opponents including the 17-member Williams Road Group is that they believe solid grounds for refusal are contained in the council’s C219 Housing and Settlement Strategy, adopted in December 2017 and
Battle lost: Members of the Williams Road Group, pictured at the beginning of their protest, are devastated by the VCAT ruling. Picture: Yanni
sent to Planning Minister Richard Wynne for review in February 2018. However, there has been no rush to approve it: After a wait of 13 months it was passed to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in
March, which then sought more information from the shire. Requests to Mr Wynne over the past 16 months by former mayors Crs Bev Colomb and Bryan Payne and current mayor Cr David Gill about the status
of the planning document, and reasons for the delay, remain unanswered. The Williams Road Group paid town planners $10,000 to present their case at VCAT and are now coming to terms with their loss.
Devastated organiser Allen Pennell, who lives next door to the proposed development, said the group was “disappointed with the council for encouraging us to go to VCAT and spend our money knowing the case was impossible to win”. “We took up the fight but, in the end, all we had to rely on was that the proposed development was out of context with the area. It was a losing battle from the start.” Neighbour Heather Morris said the appeal was very possibly “a landmark case which would set a precedent” for future inappropriate development. Appealing for help to Flinders MP Greg Hunt she wrote: “Having the C219 strategy on the table with Planning Minister Wynne for so long is causing extreme planning damage. “It merely [has the status of] a policy document readily challenged by developers at VCAT until it is ratified by the planning minister. “There are similar over-developments currently pending in our electorate, hence tremendously passionate feelings here by large numbers of local residents with the grey area of C219 being the catalyst.” Mr Hunt wrote to Mr Wynne asking about the status of C219 and was told a decision would be made “in due course”.
Mornington Auxiliary
Annual Luncheon in support of Peninsula Home Hospice with Guest Speaker
REPRESENTATIVE
TRYOUTS
-20
Join the largest Basketball Association on the Mornington Peninsula
Susan Berg
(Author of “The Girl Who Lived”) Topic: Turning Personal Tragedy into Triumph $70 per person Two course lunch with a welcome glass of bubbly Drinks, Tea and Coffee at bar prices
Friday 30 August 2019 12:00 noon for 12:30 pm Rosebud Country Club 207 Boneo Road Rosebud Mel Ref: 170 C7
To book your place please call Annette McKeand 0409 552 790 Susan Berg Susan Berg is the author of “The Girl Who Lived” - a book which is a personal account of her life. At just 15 years of age, Susan was the sole survivor of a boating accident that claimed the lives of her parents and brother. Orphaned and suffering from survivor guilt, a path of self-destruction dominated the years that followed.
Breakers Information Session
Tuesday 20 August 2019 at 6.00pm at Mornington Basketball Stadium. RSVP to admin@morningtonbasketball.com.au by Friday 17th August 2019. For all registrations, age groups, times and information visit
www.morningtonbasketball.com.au/player-tryouts/
PAGE 16
Mornington News
6 August 2019
During her darkest years, Susan was faced with challenges such as domestic violence, sexual assault, single motherhood and cervical cancer. Not surprisingly, she also developed a crippling fear of open water. Not even the hottest day could coax her in. At nearly 40-years of age, Susan was involved in a second fatal accident and escaped death yet again. The experience caused her to change her mindset
from being a victim to being grateful that she still had a life to live. Over time, she learned to love herself and life again. After Susan’s life story was published in 2015, she was challenged to face her 30-year fear of water and swim the 1.2km Lorne Pier to Pub. It took Susan 14 months to prepare both mentally and physically and on 7 January 2017, she successfully completed the challenge. She has since gone on to successfully complete other incredible challenges including swimming the English Channel in a four-person relay in August 2018. Susan strives to share her learnings and amazing passion for life with others. She shares how, by facing her greatest fears and taking on new challenges, she has grown to become a stronger and more resilient person.