Macedon Ranges Shire Council has questioned the Victorian Government’s approval of an Amess Road development, to double the size of Riddells Creek, with little change.
The proposal will develop 131.8 hectares to create about 1360 homes for 3808 new residents, but both local residents and the council were united on wanting better outcomes.
“This decision is deeply disappointing,” the mayor, Cr Dom Bonanno said. “It disregards the overwhelming community feedback and council’s concerns about the scale, intensity and character of the proposed development.
“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.”
The approved precinct is generally bounded by Kilmore Road, Amess Road, land to the east of Wohl Court and south of Frost Lane.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny announced approval of the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan today.
“Victorians should have the same opportunities their parents had – that’s why we’ve introduced bold reforms to boost housing supply in areas where Victorians have been locked out for far too long,” she said.
“The Amess Road Precinct will give more Victorians the chance to call the beautiful Macedon Ranges home, while still having access to all the key services they need.”
She said the plan 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 2025.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council resolved not to support the Amess Road PSP in April 2023, in consideration of relevant planning frameworks and significant community opposition, including a submission with 1231 signatures.
The developer submitted the proposal through the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program that ultimately referred it to the advisory committee by the minister.
At the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee hearing, MRSC maintained that the proposed development did not align with Riddells Creek’s preferred neighbourhood character, or its designation as a distinctive area and landscape under state policy.
The council argued the development would significantly alter the semi-rural character of the township and was inconsistent with community expectations for sustainable and appropriate growth. They also raised concerns about drainage and infrastructure.
MRSC considered the changes made to the application were “minimal”.
Those changes were for a road safety audit to address traffic impacts, updates to the Development Contributions Plan to ensure appropriate funding for a new community centre, upgrades to the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve, design guidelines for dwellings on small lots, and delivery of 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.
