2022
Incorporating
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
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www.mansfieldcourier.com.au
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McLEISH SLAMS GOVERNMENT MUSEUM MERRIMENT LAST Wednesday local dignitaries joined community members from across Mansfield Shire for the official turning of the sod at the site of the Mansfield Heritage Museum. Pictured (from left) Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines, president of Mansfield Historical Society Graeme Stoney AM, and Mansfield Shire Mayor Cr Steve Rabie. FULL STORY on pages 18 and 19. PHOTO: Sandra Lee Photography
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DEVELOPMENT DISPUTE
Chenery Street to VCAT Residents appeal council’s decision to approve double-storey development By HANNAH KENNELLY and EMMA OLIVER OBJECTORS to the approved development on Chenery Street in Mansfield have booked an upcoming hearing with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Last December, Mansfield Shire Council (MSC) approved a permit to build a double-storey residential building behind an existing dwelling at 32 Chenery Street. Neighbouring residents
expressed privacy and noise-related concerns and said the proposed development would “threaten neighbourhood character”. After site visits and several consultations, council concluded the development satisfied all requirements under the Victorian Government’s planning act and greenlighted the development. The approval devastated neighbouring landowners. Mary Carroll, her
brother Anthony and fellow objectors Beryl Jolly, John Bugden, Brendan and Jacki Fraser and Neville and Robyn Keatley have decided to take the developer to VCAT – a decision they will fund themselves. “We are off to VCAT and come win or lose it is at our expense,” Ms Carroll said. “MSC’s planning department will be required to justify their decision, but the cost is to us with no liability on council. “That said it is inconceivable to think
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that anyone would want to build such a building in a residential area, and heartbreaking to know council approved it to go ahead.” Council’s general manager for infrastructure and planning, Melissa Crane, confirmed that council received notification from VCAT that an objector application was lodged on January 5 for the planning application to develop 32 Chenery Street Mansfield, pursuant to Section 82 of the Planning and
Environment Act 1987 1987. Under the Municipal Planning Strategy and Planning Policy Framework, the planning department is to “encourage development that respects the neighbourhood character of an area”. Ms Carroll believes that the approved development does not meet this criteria. “The building will fill the rear area of a residential house block, encroaching on five immediate backyards and providing direct line of
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sight into neighbouring homes,” Ms Carroll said. “It allows no room for large trees or vegetation to mature, and the building will block views of the many established trees in the immediate surrounds.” The existing dwelling at 32 Chenery Street, Carlzburg House, is currently listed on Airbnb and other shortterm accommodation websites, where occupants get “exclusive access passes to use The Alzburg Resort facilities”. ■ Continued page 2
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