Macedon Ranges Shire Council has formally called on the Minister for Planning to defer a decision on a major Clarkefield development.
MRSC wants Amendment C164 put on hold until major unresolved planning, infrastructure, safety, environmental and financial matters have been independently reviewed and addressed.
It is also seeking the minister undertake an independent peer and legal review of the proposal and defer the proposal to a Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee.
“This is not opposition to new development or growth in principle,” the mayor, Cr Cassy Borthwick said.
“Council’s position reflects the community’s lack of confidence that the proposal is thoughtful, well planned and ready.”
The proposal allows development of potentially 2500 new homes for 6000 people on 175 hectares of land east of the Clarkefield railway station. It would create a new township in an area the council has not formerly investigated or included in its short-term planning.
Council is seeking greater certainty that any future growth in Clarkefield is “safe, sustainable, well-serviced and in the best interests of current and future residents”.
“Development should create complete and connected communities, rather than leaving residents without the infrastructure, services and connections needed to support long-term liveability,” Cr Borthwick said.
“The cost to council and the community for responsibility and maintenance of key infrastructure is not clear, and this presents an unreasonable risk and burden to ratepayers and government.
“The community deserves a fair process and a fully evidenced proposal before a decision of this scale is made.
“People should not be asked to live for years without the roads, drainage, open space, facilities and services that make a township work.”
The proposal is expected to be delivered over 20 years or more, and the council believes it would have long-term implications for existing communities, future residents, ratepayers, infrastructure delivery and the wider shire.
MRSC believes the proposal needs further independent scrutiny in numerous areas including strategic justification, affordable housing commitments, town centre viability, landscape and character, bushfire risk, infrastructure and services, and maintenance responsibilities and potential cost impacts. The list of concerns is extensive.
They are seeking greater certainty about the delivery and funding of roads, drainage, emergency access, community infrastructure and essential services.
The council wants clarity on long-term governance, asset ownership and maintenance responsibilities, as well as a Resource and Administrative Costs Impact Statement.
It also wants a Net Social Benefit Assessment prepared and a Net Economic Benefit Assessment.
Council has called for protections of normal notice and community participation by not exempting the amendment or associated permit applications from normal notice provisions.
MRSC is preparing a Community Advocacy Toolkit to help residents understand the amendment, council’s concerns and how residents can participate in the planning process.