By Nicole Williams
A PAKENHAM developer believes newly-elected Cardinia councillors have jeopardised a $40 million housing project and could scare off future investments in the shire.
Planning officers had recommended the application for a 149 dwelling development on Michael Street, Pakenham, be sent to an independent panel but councillors rejected the motion at the final council meeting of 2012.
The application was not to approve the development, but send it to the independent panel appointed by Planning Minister Matthew Guy to discuss concerns raised by objectors and provide expert recommendations.
Sue Kelly, business manager at Portbury Development Co said it was almost unheard of for an application to go through an exhibition period and be abandoned before a panel hearing.
“I don’t think they (councillors) realise how rare it is,” she said.
“By abandoning the amendment, they are abandoning it before it has been seen by a panel.
“We were denied natural justice.”
Portbury Development had been working with the shire’s planning department for three years on the project.
“If the councillors had issues, they could have deferred it and met with us. We would have been open to discussion,” she said.
Ms Kelly is concerned the decision will deter potential investors from the area.
“Given we have had such a progressive council, which can be seen with the level of recent development, if everyone goes through correct processes and procedures and then it is knocked out, what confidence does that provide to invest in the shire?” she said.
Central Ward councillor Jodie Owen moved the alternative motion to abandon the plans and stood by her decision.
“The planning application came to us and if we had let it go through, they would have automatically got the planning permit,” Cr Owen said.
“I spent two days reading about the development and standing on the land and I am not going to let an enclave be built in Pakenham.”
The councillors argued at the council meeting that the development would disadvantage residents by building tightly-packed houses close to existing businesses.
“I was comfortable, and I still am, looking residents in the eyes that I didn’t let through something that had 150 dwellings on top of each other,” she said.
“That’s proven to raise crime.”
Portbury Development will now appeal to Mr Guy to become the planning authority for the development.
A spokesperson for Mr Guy said he was aware the local council had abandoned the amendment after consideration.
Cardinia Council Planning and Development General Manager Phil Walton said staff accepted the decision made by councillors.
“Following the exhibition of the planning scheme amendment in April–May 2012, council officers have continued discussions with the developer to address issues raised in the submissions,” Mr Walton said.
“We are aware that the developer has approached the minister and have continued discussions about the project’s future and the site’s development.”
“As with any matter before council, council staff provide a report and recommendation, and the council makes a decision,” he said.
