Land known as Glen Junor has been thrown out of Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s controversial 30-year Gisborne Futures draft plan.
It came down to the wire in a 4-4 vote with mayor Jennifer Anderson using her casting vote to remove the 210-hectare property from the proposed settlement boundary and structure plan last week.
The land at 284 Kilmore Road was controversially rushed to be included in Gisborne Futures last year in a 6-3 vote that went against council officer recommendation.
The property is the proposed launch-ground for a unique biodiversity sensitive urban design concept to set aside one hectare of land for nature or community, for every hectare of urban development.
Since the draft Gisborne Futures plan was endorsed last year, as one of the last approvals of the outgoing council, it has been subject to much community criticism. It controversially proposes an expansion of the Gisborne Business Park and the introduction of three and four-storey buildings within the township.
Glen Junor has also attracted a high level of interest from fans and critics alike.
Cr Geoff Neil spearheaded the move to delete Glen Junor, stating ratepayers should not have to burden the cost of this developer’s plan.
“There are two other ways forward for the Glen Junor team to achieve the outcome they desire – the first is to approach the minister to seek direct assistance from his resources, and the second is a stand-alone self-funded planning amendment,” he advised.
“Glen Junor is part of the Gisborne district. It is not part of the Gisborne township. It should not be included in Gisborne Futures.
“Gisborne Futures by itself is a mammoth undertaking. We need to get it right. We need to concentrate our resources to that achievement.”
Tracing the property’s history, Cr Anne Moore said the property was initially purchased in 2015 as Farm Zoned land and the landowners had taken gradual steps to increase its capacity for subdivision.
Glen Junor is currently zoned Rural Living and can already be subdivided to one to four hectares.
“They now want to move the markers again and be included within the town boundary, which would mean the property would change from Rural Living to Residential,” Cr Moore said.
“Although it seems ‘all well good’ it could blow out to potentially be another Brooking Willowbank Road development and I am not willing to risk that.”
At the same meeting, councillors tabled a petition with 358 signatures to keep Glen Junor in the Gisborne Futures plan and town boundary.
Councillor Dominic Bonanno argued the development’s removal at this stage “effectively cuts the community out of having a say about Glen Junor”.
“Let’s remember: it is a draft Gisborne Futures proposal… we can still modify things,” he said.
“To remove Glen Junor as proposed appears both premeditated and premature and most importantly, contrary to the principles of good governance and I cannot support it.”
Crs Bill West, Janet Pearce and Mark Ridgeway agreed “process was important” and felt the need to see the impending council officer report on the project. Others argued submissions and other relevant detail had already been considered and were informing the decision.
Cr Annette Death said Glen Junor closely bordered Riddells Creek – a town that faced its own issues around infrastructure investment and potential pressures from the proposed Amess Road development.
“Is this the most appropriate place for the development is the question here and, because of that, it’s a very distracting conversation,” Cr Death said.
“We should be focusing on the Gisborne Futures project and what’s actually going to happen in the centre of Gisborne and getting that part right before we then embrace and expand the township boundaries to include Glen Junor and the substantial development that will arise from that.”
Cr Anderson agreed the council should focus efforts and resources on the big issues already present in the Gisborne Futures project.
“The feedback I’ve received from Gisborne Futures, including those Glen Junor’s inclusion, have overwhelming stated a preference for larger lots, less intensity of development and particularly as you move further away from the town centre,” she said.
She said her decision was based on impact on the community now and into the future, community feedback, previous council officer advice and how the project aligns with the council’s current strategies.
A division recorded those in support of removing Glen Junor were Crs Neil, Anderson, Death and Moore. Those against were Crs Ridgeway, West, Pearce and Bonanno. Cr Rob Guthrie was not present for the debate.
