Amy Hume
Riddells Creek has been given reprieve from controversial development plans that could double the town’s population.
Last week, Macedon Ranges Shire councillors unanimously rejected progression of the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan in its current form.
The move went against MRSC planning officer advice but heeded the overwhelming community catch-cry that “the town’s rural identity is not for sale”.
A blueprint for future development, the current draft PSP would create 1300 lots on 130 hectares – an increase on the original 1290-lot plan which has further reduced lot sizes.
Councillors have called for the applicant to “go back to the drawing board” before submitting to the Minister for Planning.
Leading a push to reject the plan, Cr Geoff Neil said the community had united against “what could be best described as an urban jungle”.
“Riddells Creek is currently classified as a district town with moderate growth but with both the Amess Road PSP and the Riddell South development, we are by population, on the cusp of turning it into a large district town. I do not believe that this is our intent,” he said.
Cr Neil said the proponents had been unwilling to negotiate on the number of lots despite strong community opposition and call to protect town character.
“The community of Riddells Creek is quite concerned about this application … It’s a voice we cannot and should not ignore,” he said.
Riddells Creek residents rallied in a campaign for better outcomes from the proposal including minimum lot sizes of 800sqm, improved connections, and staying true to the town’s rural identity. A submission to council included a petition with 1231 signatories.
Cr Jennifer Anderson said it was largest petition the council had seen for a long time and it demonstrated the community’s sentiment.
“I think it’s really important that we don’t accept that Riddells Creek, or even the Macedon Ranges, are to be the urban growth area for Melbourne,” she said.
“There is no planning statement that says we will accept growth and that we have areas where we can put that, but we are an area of distinctive landscape. Everything we do must correspond with that.
“We don’t need to feel we have to take the brunt of some of Melbourne’s growth because we’re not designated to do that.”
Mayor Annette Death said the decision was not anti-development but about appropriate development for the area.
“We’re in a unique position to implement a long-term sustainable plan that factors in all components of township structure and services, and the community has been very clear that housing density and population growth and town character are really important in this,” she said.
“The state government’s regional PSP guidelines say innovations relating to built form and design outcomes, lot layout and density should support the preferred character of the area.
“There are around 1600 lots in Riddells Creek and nearly 50 per cent of them are over 2000sqm – that is the character of Riddells Creek and that has not been reflected in the current plan.”
While the draft PSP has been rejected at council level, the applicant has the option to relodge their application or approach the planning minister.
