Hobsons Bay council is opposing the state government’s proposal to rezone the former Altona Gate Primary School at Altona North to allow four-storey residential development, saying lower-density housing is more suitable.
The council is also pushing for part of the former Altona West Primary School site to be retained in case the land is needed for a $6.9 million early-years hub the council plans to build.
As reported by Star Weekly, the Department of Education and Training wants to rezone both sites, which have been deemed surplus to educational needs, before putting them up for sale.
The government wants to rezone the Altona West site to general residential, which would allow for “moderate housing growth” and “requires development to respect neighbourhood character”.
The government also wants the Altona Gate site rezoned as a ‘‘residential growth zone’’, allowing for residential development of up to four storeys. The 2.4-hectare site takes up a block bounded by Blackshaws Road and Misten, Rosala and Glade avenues.
Deputy mayor Sandra Wilson told last week’s council meeting both sites should be rezoned general residential. “If it’s being rezoned, and it probably will be, we will seek general residential for both.” Cr Wilson said the council would continue to advocate for the return of years 10-12 to Altona P-9 College, which adjoins the Altona West site.
As reported by Star Weekly, the department has said selling the Altona West site would not affect the potential future expansion of Altona P-12 College.
The council is opposed to the government’s request for a development plan overlay to be applied to both sites, which would strip the community of its right to appeal. It is also requesting mandated developer contributions.
An advisory committee has been appointed to make a recommendation to the Planning Minister on the proposed rezoning of the sites.
