By Tanya Faulkner
As Boronia locals learn more about the future of their town centre, new restrictions have been introduced as part of the Knox Planning Scheme.
At the most recent Knox City Council meeting on Monday 25 September, Cr Yvonne Allred moved to introduce lower height limits in parts of Boronia.
The move came following several concerns raised about possible 10 storey buildings in the proposed Boronia Renewal plan.
Many locals who sent submissions to council admitted they were worried 10 storey buildings would block the views of the Dandenong Ranges that are visible from the township.
Cr Allred moved the alternate motion during the council meeting, supporting the four storey limits on the corners of Dorset and Boronia roads, noting the many community objections that were received in relation to view lines and having maximum heights that would not obstruct those views.
Councillors will bring in Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenney to appoint a neutral panel to consider the submissions received.
Cr Allred said this is the best move forward on the amendment.
“We want to ensure the proposed motion is thoroughly scrutinised from all angles,” she said during the council meeting.
Knox Deputy Mayor, Cr Jude Dwight, seconded the motion, yet raised awareness to the low number of submissions received during public consultation.
“Boronia needs strategic investment and planning.
“There seems to be a level of fatigue and apathy in Boronia,” she said.
Cr Nicole Seymour said she didn’t believe high density development was in the best interest of Boronia residents, both current and future.
Cr Seymour said the suburb is at the foot of the Dandenongs, which are described as the lungs of Melbourne, and the council need to be wary of allowing urban density to creep into sensitive environmental locations.
“Opening the door to 10 storey developments on the four sites is just the beginning,” she said.
For Cr Seymour, the concern comes in the loss of tree canopy, the heat island impact, flood mapping and wind tunnels in the area.
Whilst the four storey limit appeared to bring in the community’s wider opinion, it wasn’t in favour for all councillors.
Cr Darren Pearce said the four storey limits in Boronia is not enough to encourage investment in the area.
“Personally I don’t think you’re going to get investment in that Boronia core at four storeys.
“If you want to try and do it, fine, but those crummy old shops and drab look it’s got will not change at four storeys because there’s simply not the yield there to encourage investment,” he said.
Cr Pearce said with the state government announcement of changes to the planning regime, he had a feeling the government would come back and say the council plan was nowhere near sufficient, and “either you come back and do it with some serious height increases or we’re going to do it for you”.
In the end, the motion was carried unanimously and the amended plan will be sent to an independent panel for consideration.
