A decision is imminent on controversial plans that could change the face of Riddells Creek forever.
Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny will this month determine the fate of the Draft Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme Amendment C161macr at Amess Road.
The amendment would allow a housing development that is anticipated to urbanise and double the size of Riddells Creek.
Amess Road’s housing proposal seeks to develop 131.8 hectares to create about 1360 new households and 3808 new residents.
Both Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Riddells Creek community are united in their resolve for a better outcomes.
Riddells Creek residents have repeatedly objected to the size and density of the development, petitioning for minimum lot sizes of 800sqm. MRSC held similar concerns, unanimously rejecting the plans last year.
Project developers have since applied directly to the state government through the Development Facilitation Program.
The program is described as “an assessment pathway for priority projects in identified sectors to inject investment into the Victorian economy, keep people in jobs and create homes for people”.
A decision now rests with the state, however, some residents feel the community consultation process has created mistrust.
Mistrust and questions
Riddells Creek Planning Group wrote to Minister Kilkenny last month seeking the process be immediately stopped and reviewed following a discrepancy in the number of submissions made.
Last week, the group lodged a request with the Victorian Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath to undertake investigations into the decision to admit the proposal C161macr into the DFP, the consultation process, and integrity of the technology platform Engage Victoria.
The first round of community consultations was undertaken in June/July. Community consultation only reopened in July/August due to problems around drainage and stormwater raised during the initial consultation period.
Drainage and stormwater requirements were one of the council’s key concerns, with Melbourne Water advising that a development services scheme would not be prepared and maintenance of the assets would be the responsibility of council.
MRSC’s most recent submission to the process highlighted a lack of assessment on the impact of downstream flows, and council’s responsibility as the drainage authority under the amendments, a role which had not previously been envisioned or expected.
It also raised inadequate time to review the “ad hoc changes” and key documents not being updated to reflect the changes.
“Council does not believe the development contributions plan is properly conceived with robust costings and adequate design of stormwater facilities, posing future financial risk to council,” the council stated.
“The lack of costings is further compounded by the lack of due diligence on cultural heritage and contamination.”
Minister Kilkenny is expected to make a decision on the plans this month but the broader community is not expected to be notified of that decision until November.
MP weighs in
Last week, Liberal MP for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell weighed in on the proposed development, which she said “would ruin the country charm of Riddells Creek”.
Ms Lovell said it went against long-term planning principles adopted by the shire to preserve the relaxed and spacious feeling of its country towns.
“The state Labor government is falling way behind on its housing target, and is now trying to push inappropriate developments on small towns like Riddells Creek that will destroy the charm and character of country villages that makes them so attractive and brings the tourism that supports local businesses,” she said.
“The consultation period for the Amess Road development has closed, but a series of Engage Victoria technical problems means the local community has lost trust in the integrity of the consultation process for this controversial development proposal.
“The planning minister must listen to the community’s concerns, pause the decision-making process, and start again by consulting properly with the community.”
Ms Lovell has encouraged Macedon Ranges residents to voice their concern through a petition “against inappropriate housing developments that would ruin the country charm of Riddells Creek”.
People can sign the petition online, via the MP’s website: wendylovell.com.au/survey/save-riddells-creek-petition
