Residents, VicUrban agree on housing development

By Sarah Pearson
A RESIDENTS’ group in Narre Warren North has achieved success in its long-running dispute with VicUrban over a proposed development in Drysdale Avenue.
At a Victorian Civil and Adminstrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing, VicUrban and the Cell K Residents Committee (CKRC) agreed that the number of blocks in the new development would be reduced from 61 to 58.
This will increase average block size by 170 square metres.
The concessions made by VicUrban to the CKRC include minimum setbacks from the front and sides of properties, and also that new blocks adjoining existing houses will have an average size of 2000 square metres.
This size will ensure the new blocks are in keeping with City of Casey planning guidelines.
A further victory for the residents’ group is VicUrban’s agreement that only one house will be built per block, preventing the construction of units on the land.
The agreement comes after more than 12 months of work by the CKRK.
Committee chairman Anthony Volpi said the agreement was proof that residents could express their opinions in council and affect planning.
“We would not have achieved this outcome if it had not been for the many hours poring over documents and asking questions to key people in council,” Mr Volpi said.
“We think we’ve come out with the best deal for residents.”