By Matthew Sims
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal [VCAT] has upheld Hobsons Bay council’s decision to refuse a permit for proposed subdivision, building and stormwater management works at 37-45 Ajax Road in Altona.
Proponents for the preservation of the grasslands on Ajax Road, including locals and the Grassy Plains Network, have praised VCAT’s decision but say more work is needed to ensure future developers and councils follow biosensitive design approaches.
Last year, Axxcel Management Services put forth a planning permit to Hobsons Bay council to subdivide the land into two lots and remove the native vegetation to the north of the Altona Railway Reserve, as well as conduct building and stormwater management works.
Council rejected the permit, with VCAT’s decision on the appeal handed down on Friday, June 3.
VCAT presiding member Joel Templar and member Nick Wimbush’s decision said the development required a more “holistic and integrated approach“ and was “presumptuous“ about the future of the area.
Covering about 70 hectares, the Ajax Road grassland is located on the Werribee and Altona rail lines north of the Truganina Swamp and contains a number of endangered plant species, such as kangaroo grass and spiny rice-flower.
GPN facilitator Adrian Marshall said the grassland’s connection to other local sites made it a “really important“ part of the area’s ecosystem and its ability to combat the effects of climate change.
“All that amazing vegetation is able to prevent a lot of flooding,“ he said.
Mr Marshall said it was heartening to see the outpouring of support for the legal battle, with about 100 donors coming forward.
“The strength of the community amazed me,“ he said.
Hobsons Bay resident Bonnie Gelman said there needed to be more work to protect the area, including the development of an Environmental Significance Overlay for the land and a review of Hobsons Bay council’s Industrial Land Management Strategy.
“It’s the jewel in the crown in our Hobsons Bay,“ she said.
“We are trying to save our grasslands on behalf of future generations.“
