Darebin Appropriate Development Association

For those of us presenting at VCAT lately it has been more difficult to work through the legislative quagmire while we are in transition to the new zones and associated implications.  This week VCAT Members hearing a Darebin case were clearing trying to decide how seriously they should consider Amendment C137 as it relates to a site on Plenty Road.   At the meeting of March 16,  Council carried a motion to defer a decision on adopting Amendment C137 until they received a report on the state planning panel recommendations.  This is a good sign, Councillors at last are questioning advice from the ‘experts’ to more critically evaluate how it will effect those of us who live in Darebin, particularly adjacent to critical growth areas.   The more we talk to our Councillors about how we think planning will effect us as Darebin grows and the more they listen, the better.

Cheers, Maria

In case you wonder why I make comment on the Councillor statements about objector numbers, let me explain a little.  It is because I feel it is totally inappropriate for a Councillor to attempt to dissuade folk from exercising their democratic right to object, by telling them that it makes no difference to Council deliberations and decisions.  Is this the sort of representative you want in Council?   I want to feel Councillors have my interests at heart, not just the developers, who are unlikely to be ratepayers and community members anyway.

Cheers, Maria.

Last week a small delegation of DADA folk meet with our local member, Minister for Finance and Multicultural Affairs, Robin Scott.  We had tried to get a meeting while he was acting Planning Minister to discuss the outcomes of the new zoning policy that left Darebin with approximately only 10% protection under the Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ).   We had 2 pieces of good news and a chance to share ideas often discussed at DADA Meetings.  The good news is that it looks like there will be a review of the new zoning wash-up and given we really can’t do much worse it is hopeful that we will do better with increased protection from over-development under more of a share of the NRZ.  Also the State Government is moving ahead with the legislation to allow VCAT Members to include the number of objections in their deliberation on development proposals.  Once this is in place it will make it impossible for Darebin Councillors to argue that the number of objectors makes no difference to planning decisions.  This is something Vince Fontana has claimed on more than one occasion, in Planning Meetings.  You can check the archived video footage from the meetings online at the Darebin website.   Robin Scott also promised to get us a meeting with the Planning Minister, Richard Wynne.  Stay tuned but don’t hold your breath!!

Cheers, Maria.