Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
14 MARCH, 2023
12496404-AV22-21
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SIG N U P N O W!
(Damjan Janevski) 322823_04
Puppy pride bounds back Puppy pride is back for another year of colourful fun at Kyneton Botanic Gardens on Sunday, March 26. The event, which is run by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, will start with a group dog walk and end with food and market stalls, activities and competitions. All dogs are invited to come down with the LGBTIQA+ community, friends, family and allies celebrating their beloved pets while soaking up the atmosphere. Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Belinda Brain said dogs are a great way to improve fitness, reduce stress and provide company. “From reducing stress to improving our fitness, dogs can also increase our social interaction and of course provide companionship,” Ms Brain said. “The love we get from our pets is unwavering and for many of us our fur babies are both our greatest passion and ultimate unifiers.” The dog walk will begin at 11am from Kyneton Mechanics Institute and end at the gardens, with the stalls and activities running from noon to 2.30pm. Details: puppy.pride@scchc.org.au or 5421 1666.
MEZ LANIGAN AND PHANI DEAN-TALBOTT
Gisborne plan rejected By Zoe Moffatt
12594482-AP11-23
A 700-lot development in Gisborne has been rejected by Macedon Ranges council, but could yet be approved by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Councillors unanimously voted to knock back the development at 89 Ross Watt Road during a council meeting on Thursday, March 9. But the decision about whether to grant a permit for the development ultimately rests with VCAT, with the tribunal to consider the application during a hearing later this month.
Council rejected the application because it felt the development plan was an unacceptable response to the provisions surrounding the environment and landscape of the area. Other concerns include appropriateness of lot sizes, traffic considerations, subdivision layout, landscape considerations, open space provision and design, cultural heritage considerations and native vegetation impact. According to a council report, the plan proposes a residential estate made up of about 769 lots, as well as a convenience centre, childcare centre and various open spaces. Residents addressed a September 2022
council meeting to voice their opposition to the development, with one resident, Samantha Izzard telling the meeting she was concerned about traffic impacts and proposed block sizes. Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Councillor Anne Moore said council needed to create a “soft interface between townships,” and this development did not suit the area. “It’s out of character for the area, it does not represent how the existing area sits,” she said. “The amount of angst in our community this has brought about is beyond belief. “I do hope that VCAT actually take a good hard look at this and think, maybe this isn’t
right, because of the visibility of it.” Cr Dominic Bonanno said he wanted to remind council and the community that the property is a general residential zone, however he did not think the development was appropriate. “In my view [this development] wasn’t appropriate, which is why I’ve supported this, this motion and the community,” he said. “There’s too many unanswered questions for me and I do hope the member for VCAT does take that into consideration around infrastructure, in particular, the future needs of Gisborne and a potential Western link as well.”