A CONTROVERSIAL proposed development at 99 Bena Road, Korumburra that includes 170 residential lots will come before South Gippsland Shire councillors on May 15 to determine whether to grant a planning permit.
Community members wanting a say have until Tuesday May 7 to make written submissions to council.
The developer, Hillview Rise Pty Ltd, applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for approval of its Development Plan, with VCAT sending the decision back to council.
Richard Collyer lives across Bena Road from the intended development site and continues to have an active involvement in ensuring locals are aware of the latest development plans, and that residents’ concerns are communicated to council.
His involvement began when he saw a sign announcing a proposed development for 99 Bena Road, prompting him to knock on doors in the neighbourhood, discussing people’s thoughts on the plans and arranging a community meeting that took place last October.
That was prior to the matter going to VCAT, and some alterations have since been made to the original development plans.
More recently, Richard and another local made a direct address to council, and there was an April 8 meeting for residents at which the planner for the proposed development was present.
Richard told the Sentinel-Times that residents are concerned the proposed development doesn’t reflect the character of the neighbourhood, which he said has many two acre blocks.
He noted the 170 proposed lots is a substantial increase on the original 127.
“We feel that is far too dense an allotment for rural living,” Richard said.
He explained that the existing Botanica development on the other side of Bena Road to the proposed development has larger residential blocks than those intended at 99 Bena Road and includes a good area of parkland.
The ability of Bena Road to handle the volume of traffic that would result from the proposed development is another area Richard said is of concern to locals, including the intersections with George Street and Jumbunna Road as well as the impact on Whitelaw Road and its intersections with South Gippsland Highway, Jumbunna Road and Bena Road.
Bena Road resident Sue Hinton is concerned about safety issues on Bena Road should the development proceed in its currently intended form.
“It will be a huge impact on this road,” she said.
Richard also argues that while an ecology report was prepared for the intended development site, insufficient time was allowed for the study that informed the report.
Ecolink Consulting prepared a Biodiversity Assessment of the site in 2019, with principal ecologist Stuart Cooney and senior botanist Ross Dennis conducting their assessment of the study area on November 27 that year.
“As with all ecological assessments, a greater survey effort is likely to yield additional flora and fauna records,” the report concedes.
While the study revealed no endangered flora and fauna species on the subject land, it noted there are 84 records of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm within five kilometres of the study area.
A separate Giant Gippsland Earthworm Assessment found no evidence of the species within the subject land and limited suitable habitat, mostly along the banks of the tributary of the Foster Creek in the northwest corner of the site.
Residents have expressed concern about the steepness of the land, small block sizes and the extent of excavation that would be required.
Richard stressed that his concerns and those he has heard from others relate specifically to the plans put forward for 99 Bena Road.
“We’re not against development; we just want it done really well,” Richard said, noting that it needs to provide great liveability and a healthy environment.
While appreciative of the April 8 meeting and the planner’s presence, Richard said there is a feeling of disappointment among locals and a belief more can be done to listen to and act on community input.
Submissions in relation to the Development Plan must be addressed to the Planning Department, South Gippsland Shire Council, Private Bag 4 Leongatha 3953 or emailed to council@southgippsland.vic.gov.au and must clearly identify that they are a submission to the Development Plan 99 Bena Road, Korumburra.
