Residents fume as council steps in

Beaconsfield residents Allan Poulton, Elaine Collins, Michele Beech, Marie Collins, Lynn Williams and Stuart Castricum don't want development to taint the peaceful countryside surrounding their Glismann Road homes. 157204 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Alana Mitchelson

CARDINIA Shire Council has endorsed the first phase of a plan to develop 20 hectares near Glismann Road in rural Beaconsfield, despite objections from a majority of residents.
Councillors passed the motion unanimously on the grounds that if the council did not produce its own plan then there was a “real risk” that a blanket residential zone would be implemented by the State Government.
But a Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) spokeswoman confirmed there were “no development plans for Glismann Road” and that the issue was purely a matter for the council.
Residents told the Gazette that they felt like they were being bullied into accepting a development plan that would see 20 properties subdivided into 250 residential lots.
Discussions surrounding development near Glismann Road began in 2006 and several plans have since been drafted to rezone the land from ‘rural’ to ‘residential’ living.
Lynn Williams has lived on Glismann Road for 30 years. She planned to build her dream home after she had worked and saved her hard-earned money.
She said the councillors’ comments at the council meeting on Monday 18 July came across as a “serious threat” to residents objecting to development.
“Where’s the proof that if the council don’t develop then the State Government would, and who’s to say we would be worse off if they did?” Ms Williams said.
“They haven’t really been able to substantiate that. We’ve lost faith in the council.”
Ms Williams said that 10 years on from initial community consultation, residents still had more questions than answers.
“I don’t want to live among 250 house blocks. I didn’t just buy my land and my house, I bought a lifestyle.
“Nine of the 16 landowners along Glismann Road are against rezoning,” Ms Williams said.
“They’ve drawn three roads on my block. It’s dictating what we should do with our land and I feel like we’re not being respected. It’s unfair and it’s quite distressing.”
The plan also dedicated 1.5 hectares to public open space for a park at the top of the hill, which would affect four existing properties.
Marie Collins said she would lose 35 per cent of her land.
“It’s the very best, highest and most expensive portion of my land. It’s going to devalue my property,” the 75-year-old said.
“They’re going to take my house away. I’ve lived here for 31 years and I’ve made a beautiful garden that’s very special to me.
“There are about 30 species of birds and some breed on the property. I’ve got 20 king parrots and my camellia trees are a haven for the birds.
“They want the park at the top of the hill so that there is a nice view, but the only view they’re going to get is a sea of rooftops.”
Public open space has only been included in draft plans in the past few years.
Ms Collins said she has suffered from health problems during that time which were brought on by anxiety and stress over the development plans.
“Most of us are in our twilight years and we don’t need this stress. We should be able to enjoy what we’ve worked for,” she said.
Councillor Leticia Wilmot, who raised the motion before the council, said it was expected that the MPA and the State Government would show a “keen interest” in the land if the council did not initiate its own plan.
“It’s clear that some residents don’t want any development.
“But, unfortunately, it’s in the middle of suburbia now, it’s in a growth corridor and therefore it’s inevitable that at some point development will take place here,” Cr Wilmot said.
“It is far better to have a plan in place than to leave it up to the State Government that will take little account of what residents currently feel.”
The Victorian Premier’s Office confirmed there was “no State Government plan for the Glismann Road area” and a DELWP spokesman said there was “no current request requiring the Minister (for Planning) to make any decisions in relation to this land”.
Cardinia Shire Council planning and development general manager Phil Walton said the next step would be for the council to develop an infrastructure contributions plan, which would provide another opportunity for community consultation.
About $100,000 has been spent on development plans, reviews, reports and meetings in relation to the Glismann Road development plan.