Residents’ jungle warfare

By Tania Martin
BELGRAVE residents are preparing for a David and Goliath battle with a French developer over a proposed jungle theme park.
A consultation meeting held last Thursday (14 August) has been labelled as round one in the fight.
More than 20 residents attended the meeting at Belgrave Library to air their concerns over the development.
The proposal is for a jungle adventure style park near the Glen Harrow Heights Reserve at 2 Cole Avenue, Belgrave.
More than 85 residents from the area have already signed a petition opposing the development.
Nearby resident Hanifa Deen said people where concerned about the impact on the local amenity, flora and fauna. Ms Deen said the theme park would affect the quality of life that residents enjoyed in the Glen Harrow precinct.
She said many people moved into the area for its flora, fauna and the tranquil and idyllic surrounds.
But Ms Deen said this would all be at risk with the introduction of a theme park.
“We are devastated to learn that all of this is now in jeopardy,” she said.
Ms Deen said residents believe that such a tourism development shouldn’t be promoted in a heritage area or in such close proximity to houses near the Sherbrooke Forest section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Ms Deen said not only would the local environment be under threat but there would be massive noise problems.
She said the proposal outlined eight flying foxes running from 9am to 7pm every day.
Ms Deen said the noise from this would be amplified by the bowl shape of the depression where most the activities will take place.
“Those of us living across the gully are already familiar with how sound resonates,” she said.
Following the meeting last week, Ms Deen said this was round one of the fight to have the proposal refused.
“People have heard the concept and given it an overwhelming thumbs down,” she said.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said residents had raised a lot of concerns that needed looking into before such an application was approved.
Despite the residents concerns, Cr Dunn has reserved judgement on the application until further reports on the impact of the park had been undertaken by the shire’s officers.
Cr Dunn said it could take several months before the proposed development is brought before the council.
“This is a complicated application especially given the environment where it is located, the traffic and parking in the area,” she said.
“We are going to have to employ a lot of expertise to look at this one.”
Despite concerns that this application will not be decided within the 60 day time frame, Cr Dunn said she hoped the developer would understand it was a complex matter and not file an appeal with the Victorian and Civil Administrative Tribunal.