A controversial development set to double the size of Riddells Creek has been approved by Victorian Government powers against local council and community wishes.
The Amess Road development will create 1360 homes for 3808 new residents on 131.8 hectares, despite substantial push-back from Macedon Ranges Shire Council and residents.
Last week, Mayor Dom Bonanno said the decision was “deeply disappointing”.
“It disregards the overwhelming community feedback and council’s concerns about the scale, intensity and character of the proposed development,” he said.
“While we acknowledge the site’s zoning for urban growth since 2017, any development must be sustainable and reflect the unique rural character of Riddells Creek. This approval, with minimal changes, fails to meet those standards.
“We would prefer council maintained planning responsibility for all matters within our shire, so that we can involve and consult with the community and ensure that the outcomes are appropriate for our shire.”
MRSC rejected the proposal in 2023, with grave concerns for the impact on the town’s semi-rural identity.
The developer pushed the plan to the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program last year.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny announced approval of the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan last Monday.
She said the approval would give Victorians the “same opportunities their parents had” and followed reforms aimed at boosting housing supply in areas where many “have been locked out for far too long”.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas backed the decision, stating the “Macedon Ranges is the best place to live” and that it was important to unlock more land, so those who grew up there could continue to raise their families there.
Plans included the delivery of a new community centre and upgrades to the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve, and 10 per cent of homes would be for affordable housing.
The decision follows a protracted deliberation process, including a formal public hearing by the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee in February.
Riddells Creek Planning Group has been a strong voice for the town throughout the fight but members feel let down by the outcome.
RCPG’s Ross Colliver said the developer was given what they wanted with little compromise.
“This is a bad decision for the town,” he said.
“What is equally disappointing is that all the planning effort and expertise at hand has failed to deliver a serious conversation about the future of our town.”
MRSC agreed the changes made to the application were “minimal”.
Some of those changes were for a road safety audit, improved Development Contributions Plan for funding of a community centre, upgrades to the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve, design guidelines for houses on small lots, and shared user paths.
MRSC said it would now review the final recommendations in further detail, to better understand the decisions and to communicate next steps to the community.
Mayor Dom Bonanno thanked the Riddells Creek community for its continued engagement, advocacy and commitment throughout the public hearing and consultation phases.
“The approval of the PSP now means the council must facilitate it, however, we will continue to hold the development to account in every detail, while also advocating for further support in the best interests of the community and council,” he said.
