Sub-division progresses

By Tania Martin
A DEVELOPER has been given the green light to sub-divide land in Gembrook, despite residents fears it would turn the town into a ‘mini Pakenham’.
VCAT has overturned the Shire of Cardinia’s decision to refuse a 28-lot sub-division in Redwood Road, Gembrook.
The decision to approve the sub-division comes after the developer, Gembrook Views Estate, agreed to reduce its plans to 21-lots.
Gembrook residents have been campaigning against the development since May last year when the initial plans were drawn up for a 34-lot sub-division.
At the time residents raised concerns over Gembrook being turned into another urban centre similar to Pakenham.
Shirley Smith of Redwood Road feared that the development would change the way of life in Gembrook.
Ms Smith told the Mail that the block sizes were too small and that residents wanted blocks that were no smaller than a quarter of an acre (1011 square metres).
But the initial proposal only allowed for 450-square-metre block sizes.
Following the community backlash over the 34-lot sub-division, the developer reduced the plans to 28-lots.
But the council still rejected the development in December after receiving more than 70 objections because the sub-division didn’t fit in with the town’s rural character.
Ms Smith last week said it was disappointing to see that over the past 12 months the number of objections to the development had diminished.
“It’s disappointing that people didn’t stick with it and fight it,” she said.
But Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge said the decision was a great outcome for residents.
Cr Legge said residents had called for the proposal to be changed to 21 lots and that it was great to see a developer taking the time to listen to local people.
“I think 21 lots will be far more acceptable for the community,” he said.
Cr Legge said residents were expecting the five-acre block of land to be sub-divided into quarter acre blocks and that this new plan for 21-lots would come very close to that expectation.
He said the whole project has shown that it is beneficial for developers to work together with residents to achieve a desired outcome.
“It’s good to have the matter resolved. It’s good to see the developer give consideration to community input.”
Ms Smith still fears Gembrook’s country atmosphere will be at risk.
“People come to Gembrook for the peace and quiet and the country living,” she said.
Ms Smith said although it was disappointing that the sub-division will go ahead, it was good to see the developer has listened to the people of Gembrook and made the lot sizes bigger.
“It’s a real shame but they say you can’t stop progress,” she said.