A PETITION is calling on Planning Minister Matthew Guy to intervene in a controversial development proposed on the former Newport timber yard site.
The petition, launched on Friday by the group called Protect Newport, states that plans to build 42 apartments up to four storeys at 6 Paine Street “are highly inappropriate and will do nothing to enhance the Newport area”.
At least 360 residents have objected to the proposal by Domain Hill Property Group.
Hobsons Bay Council has twice refused the developer’s plans – in 2010 and last year – and the developer has lodged a second appeal at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The developer’s first proposal for a three-storey, 46-dwelling apartment block was rejected by the council and VCAT.
Residents also said they felt “blackmailed” by the developer’s letter, which indicated that if they did not accept the plans, a four-storey, 136-dwelling social housing complex could be built without council approval. The council denied this was possible.
Protect Newport spokesman Anthony Simmons last Friday joined state Williamstown MP Wade Noonan in launching the petition.
It states that: “The government was elected on a platform of giving more power to councils and we mean it. The Baillieu state government should also support the Hobsons Bay Council’s decision to reject plans to build this high-density multi-storey development in Newport, within a low-scale, heritage neighbourhood.”
Mr Simmons said: “Newport residents have been fighting this ridiculous over-development for two years now. Yet we are determined to continue fighting and win.
“I can’t believe the arrogance of this developer who thinks his high-density development is appropriate for our neighbourhood, when he is opposed by council’s planners and hundreds of residents who think his plan’s very inappropriate in almost every respect.”
Mr Noonan said he made no apology about getting involved. “This has become a David versus Goliath battle, so I am making no apologies for weighing in to support the community in their opposition,” he said.
“It’s time to restore some balance in our planning system and give greater power back to the local community. I think we’re all sick and tired of seeing ridiculously large developments being built in predominantly low-rise areas.”
The developer and Mr Guy’s office had not responded by the time of going to press.
The petition will be distributed to about 1000 local households.
