By Matthew Sims
Casey Council has approved the finalised development plan for development on the Manuka Road Precinct, allowing for future development on Green Wedge land along Manuka Road in Berwick.
Casey Council administrators passed a motion to adopt the finalised Manuka Road Development Plan during its meeting on Tuesday 16 May.
The development of the Manuka Road Precinct may provide for up to 165 new lots or dwellings to be developed across 18.78 hectares of land, bounded by Manuka Road to the west, Allan Street to the south and the Cardinia Creek Parklands to the north and east.
Planning Scheme Amendment C231 to the Casey Planning Scheme was gazetted on 20 May 2021 and resulted in the rezoning of the land to the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and the application of a Development Plan Overlay.
Casey Council has been working with Veris Town Planning and Parklea Developments to investigate future development of the Manuka Road Precinct as part of the plan.
Parklea Developments has been partnering with the owners of land surrounding Berwick’s historic Clover Cottage for residential development, proposed to be completed in four stages and provide 131 lots upon completion as part of its Hartwood proposed development.
According to Casey Council, community consultation on the draft plan occurred over seven weeks in December 2022 and January 2023, where residents were encouraged to make submissions via the council’s engagement platform Casey Conversations, as well as a drop-in session at the Berwick Leisure Centre.
Public consultation closed at 11.59pm on 29 January 2023, with council receiving a total of 86 submissions.
Following the submissions, the council has made a number of amendments to the plan, including increasing bushfire protection setbacks and clarification of drainage options for the precinct.
Casey Council received 21 public questions concerning the Manuka Road Development Plan, with 12 questions relating to residents concerns around traffic, seven concerning vegetation, flora, fauna and bushfire management and two others relating to the development plan itself.
Chair administrator Noelene Duff PSM said there were a number of safety initiatives proposed for the upcoming development, including adding turning lanes on Manuka Road and a shared use path along the eastern side of Manuka Road linking to Allan Street and Akoonah Park.
“The plan proposes to upgrade Allan Street while retaining its vehicular barrier from Cardinia Street,” she said.
“It also proposes new right turn lanes at both entrances to the precinct, as well as a safer pedestrian crossing point in front of Berwick College.”
Administrator Miguel Belmar said the approval of the development plan was one step in the process and outlined significant constraints in the development of the precinct, including bushfire management, drainage and heritage overlays.
“There are times when constraints such as these can be impassable, but this is a development plan that has considered each of these constraints,” he said.
“It’s a solution which may be imperfect, but it is a solution which is in keeping with the requirements of orderly planning.”
Administrator Michael Boardman said the council appreciated the thought and effort of residents who had made public submissions to the draft development plan and submitted public questions.
“All of the issues raised in the submissions, all of the issues raised in the questions are all fundamentally legitimate,” he said.
“When a development proposal is received by council of this magnitude, of course there is going to be community concerns.”
“It certainly has engaged the community to think about how this particular development and future developments…can be treated.”
Speaking on behalf of Parklea Developments in a submission to the draft development plan, Veris Australia town planning senior associate Guillermo Cabala said the development plan was the result of years of co-operative work with the council.
“Parklea and Council have been working together for a number of years to identify, consider, assess and resolve a number of matters regarding the future development of the precinct,” he said.
“Parklea is pleased that the planning for the precinct has reached the development plan stage…so that planning permit applications may finally progress with council pursuant to previous discussions.
“The development plan…will provide a sound, orderly and equitable basis for the future development of the precinct and enjoyment of the precinct by future residents and members of the surrounding community.”
