In the News
Another icon falls
THE imminent bulldozing of the heritage-listed bushland and wetland dam on the Westerfield property in the Mornington Peninsula green wedge adds another name to a disturbing list of heritage icons damaged or threatened by residential, commercial or freeway development (''Freeway builders admit damage to wetlands area'', The Age, 8/7). This list includes Lonsdale House, Equity Chambers and the Windsor Hotel.
The responsible agency, Heritage Victoria, is little more than a rubber stamp for developers and government. Small bands of concerned citizens are left to stand up for values that we all share and have in our planning scheme, but are honoured more in the breach.
Two other green-wedge heritage-listed icons, Norman Lodge at Mount Eliza and Emu Bottom at Sunbury, have had residential subdivisions approved by Heritage Victoria.
Community groups fighting these destructive applications had no right to appeal against Heritage Victoria decisions or to appeal on heritage matters to VCAT. Only landowners have such rights. The Welshes of Westerfield have appealed to the Heritage Council, but the road-builders say they do not need to wait for a decision before sending in the bulldozers. The government should be ashamed and the opposition should pick up the baton.
Rosemary West, Green Wedges Coalition
The Age letters 13 July, 2010
http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/miners-make-an-example-of-kevi...
Boundary growth ‘betrayal’
A HILLS green wedge advocate has slammed a State Government review of Melbourne’s urban growth boundaries (UGB) saying any changes would put the Dandenongs under the threat of over development.
Upper Yarra and Dandenongs Environment Council’s Louis Delacretaz said the government was bowing to pressure from developers.
He said the Labor Government had been elected in the past three campaigns on the back of a promise to maintain the current boundaries.
“This is a complete betrayal,” he said.
The move comes as the State Government last month called for submissions on the proposed changes which include opening up land in Cranbourne, Craigieburn, Sunbury and Werribee for residential development.
Mr Delacretaz questioned the need to open land up for future development.
“It’s a complete furphy to suggest Melbourne doesn’t already have enough space for its residential needs,” he said.
Mr Delacretaz said the proposed changes would expose the UGBs across the state to being extended and lead to an uncertain future for the scope of the boundaries.
“There will be nothing to stop developers going to the government and saying ‘what about my neck of the woods?’, he said.
Mr Delacretaz has questioned what the next changes would be.
“Is the next step moving through the Dandenongs and into the southern foothills… where do we stop?”
Mr Delacretaz said changing the UGB now would set a dangerous precedent right across the state.
But Planning Minister Justin Madden said the government was taking action in this tough economic time to ensure housing remained affordable on the eastern seaboard.
“Recent population forecasts indicate that it is vital to plan now for the future needs of growing communities in Melbourne’s west, north and south-east.”
Monbulk MP James Merlino said the government was committed to protecting green wedges in the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley.
“There was never any proposal to move the urban growth boundary in the east of Melbourne as part of this review and, in fact, we have made clear that the main focus of Melbourne’s future growth will be in the north and west of the city,” he said.
Mr Merlino also said as a local resident, he understood the vital role the green wedges played in protecting the regions natural beauty.
“I have been a long-time passionate supporter of our green wedge protection … there is no doubt they will remain, ensuring our valuable and unique environment will be protected into the future,” he said.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said it was concerning to see the government moving the boundaries.
Cr Dunn said if the boundaries where changed to include the Dandenongs she would fight it all the way.
“There is a chance that the government will initially draw a line in the sand but there is no certainty that they won’t keep shifting the goal posts,” she said.
Mr Delacretaz is calling on hills residents to put in submissions to the government before applications close on 17 July and write to their local MPs.
http://www.senews.com.au/story/76802
Brumby tackled on urban sprawl
PLANS to contain Melbourne's urban sprawl are "stone dead" and the city's cherished green wedge zones are in danger, according to a leading planner who has worked closely with the State Government.
RMIT University Associate Professor Michael Buxton has slammed plans by Premier John Brumby to expand Melbourne's urban areas by at least 23,000 hectares - mostly in green wedge areas.
Professor Buxton, who has previously chaired the Premier's green wedges taskforce, said there were "lots of problems" with the planned urban expansion.
Professor Buxton, also a member of an implementation group for the planning blueprint Melbourne 2030, which aimed to contain urban sprawl, said the Government had lost its way on strategic planning.
"Melbourne 2030 is stone dead. The trouble is we don't have a proper policy in its place, we have Rafferty's rules led by the development community and the Government just rolling over," he told The Age.
"It is tragic for Melbourne's future because we are going to end up with two cities - we are going to end up with a whole lot of houses far from services and employment in the outer suburbs and more and more people being shoved into them."
The Government has previously promoted Professor Buxton's views on planning. In 2006 then planning minister Rob Hulls told Parliament: "Associate Professor Michael Buxton, who is a planning and environment expert, said in relation to our green wedge legislation that it is the most far-sighted environmental planning decision in Australia's history."
Harry van Moorst, director of Western Region Environment Centre, said he was concerned about the impact of the planned urban expansion. "It looks as though some of the most valuable grasslands would be destroyed by this," he said.
Areas under consideration for urban expansion include 20,448 hectares in Melbourne's west around Caroline Springs, Melton and Werribee; 25,385 hectares around Sunbury, Craigieburn and Donnybrook and 5560 hectares east of Cranbourne.
Opposition planning spokesman Matthew Guy said: "Melbourne 2030 is dead and the Government is making planning policy on the run."
Sofia Dedes, spokeswoman for Planning Minister Justin Madden, said plans to move the urban growth boundary did not mean the end of Melbourne 2030.
"The planning for Melbourne takes account of the need for housing options in the inner city, established suburbs and new housing developments in growth areas. These options are equally important in the provision of housing choices for the current and future population of Melbourne," she said.
Ms Dedes added: "The Brumby Labor Government is committed to the protection of green wedges."
Meanwhile, mayors and councillors across Victoria have united to condemn recent planning changes as an attack on local democratic rights.
In an open letter to Mr Brumby and Mr Madden, published in The Age today, councillors say planning changes have gone too far.
The changes include removing appeal rights against developments by schools or those containing a social housing component.
Councillors also oppose legislation to set up Development Assessment Committees for decisions on some planning matters, and the number of applications being taken over by Mr Madden to speed up planning approval in the name of jobs. "These measures demolish the cornerstone of this state's planning system - the rights of residents to have a say about their neighbourhood," the councillors' letter says. "These rights are at the very heart of our democratic system of governance." Almost 60 councillors have signed the letter and, according to Stonnington Mayor Claude Ullin, many more support it.
Boroondara Mayor Jack Wegman said the Government's approach echoed that of the former Kennett government. "Decisions will be made behind closed doors by people who are unelected, unrepresentative and unaccountable," he said.
He said the Government had panicked in an economic crisis as federal money was dangled under its nose. "They've thought to themselves, 'Well the only way to fix this is to take away people's basic rights."'
But Property Council chief executive Jennifer Cunich said Development Assessment Committees (DACs) would bolster confidence in planning. "DACs are independent panels, with representation from both levels of government state and local, making decisions in line with local policy. How much more democratic can that be?"
Government spokesman Matthew Hillard said: "In these difficult economic times, the Brumby Labor Government makes no apologies in doing what the community expects of it, which is securing and protecting jobs."
Mary Drost, of Planning Backlash, said resident groups would rally against the planning changes on the steps of Parliament House tomorrow.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/brumby-tackled-on-urban-sprawl-20090608-c0ui.html
Future Sunbury growth row
A SUNBURY developer has called for urban growth boundaries to be extended around the town to ensure Sunbury can push for better health and transport facilities.
Glenn Ingram said last week a population boost for Sunbury would reinforce the need for a 24-hour hospital and electrified rail.
His call to release more land has sparked a debate about the permanence of the growth boundaries and the green wedges, with the State Government insisting that it would not move on the issue.
"We are half an hour from Melbourne and with more land released we can provide affordable housing," Mr Ingram said.
He was commenting after Premier John Brumby revealed plans to release more land to meet the states housing shortage, but ignored the 4125 vacant Sunbury house blocks.
Mr Brumby fast tracked land to build 90,000 new homes; many in neighbouring Craigieburn and Melton.
Hume councillor Jack Ogilvie also said he would like to see Sunbury grow from 35,000 and said it could be a self sufficient city with a population of 55,000.
"We are half an hour from the city, there is nowhere else for people to go," he said.
But State Government spokesman Tim Pigot said Melbourne 2030 and UGBs are important for managing growth and there were no plans to change Sunbury's UGB.
"The Brumby Government is committed to balancing growth with green wedges which is why growth will go into urban growth zones," he said.
Sunbury Maribyrnong Valley Green Wedge Defenders co-ordinator Arnie Azaris said people should change lifestyles rather than urban growth boundaries.
"If they (green wedges) are changed then there will be a fight from us," Ms Azaris said.
"House blocks need to be smaller and there is also a need for more public housing which has not yet been built.
"A lot of the problem is people are buying outside their needs and we need to combat that attitude.
"There is still room in Melbourne, you just don't need the McMansions."
http://www.sunburyleader.com.au/article/2008/03/11/31084_srv_news.html
His home is his castle
A MELBOURNE family are fighting to build their huge dream home in the city's green wedge, after neighbours moved to block the palatial proposal. Keilor's Michael Saba has big plans for his 4ha Sunbury property, with a planning application for a two-storey, 2728sq m home -- including 12 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms -- now with Hume Council.
Horrified neighbours say the mansion will ruin the rural landscape and create an environmental disaster. Led by the property's closest neighbour, several opponents have formed a group, Residents Against Eyesores, to fight the big plan.
But Mr Saba, a pharmaceutical healthcare magnate, says he needs a big place to fit his tight-knit extended family -- and they've worked hard to deserve the dream home. The $3.5 million mansion will be home to Mr Saba, wife Jasmin and one-year-old son Tony, plus Mr Saba's parents and other family members -- eight people in total.
The rest of the 12 bedrooms, each with an ensuite, will be for visitors, along with another few children for Michael and Jasmin -- up to half a dozen, they hope.
"You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a dream house," Mr Saba said. "We wanted a house with all the comforts -- we've worked hard for it and we can afford it."
Hume Council has received 14 objections to the permit application, and closest neighbour Mark Freestone says the project will be an eyesore.
"Sunbury is expanding, and there are more houses appearing on 10-acre lots, but nobody else is building anything this obscene," Mr Freestone said. The 2787 sq m home will be more than 10 times the average Australian house size.
"It will decimate the country feel of the neighbourhood," Mr Freestone said. "The biggest home in the area is 150 squares (1400 sq m), and that's too big."
Last year, Planning Minister Justin Madden made headlines when he described large outer-suburban houses as "McMansions", and said some large designs wasted energy and water. Mr Freestone said the Saba house would make an oversized impact on the environment, and called on the Planning Minister to intervene. But a spokeswoman for Mr Madden said Hume Council was the responsible authority.
And Mr Saba, managing director of Swisse Vitamins, said the house would set new green standards for the area, with plans for solar-powered energy, and a million litres of underground water tanks.
"Even the angle of the house and building materials are designed to maximise natural daylight and reduce energy consumption even further," he said. "It's laughable that one objector claimed due to the number of toilets, there's going to be more waste. It's the same number of visits by the same number of residents regardless of whether there's one or 12 toilets."
The council will decide on the planning permit on March 31, but both sides have vowed to take it to the planning tribunal if they lose.
Sunbury-Maribyrnong Green Wedge Defenders co-ordinator Arnie Azarias said previous VCAT cases had blocked large homes on green wedge land.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23399397-2862,00.html
Madden backflips overturning VCAT order protecting Green Wedge golf course
Even as Justin Madden was making his hypocritical announcement last month about no more urban growth (Minister alters view on sprawl, The Age 3/12), his Development Facilitation Taskforce was recommending that if Cardinia Shire Council wants to assist a private club with its viability problems by facilitating a currently prohibited residential subdivision, it should amend its planning scheme to fit and investigate "developing land surrounding the Club for residential purposes".
This advice flies in the face of a July 2009 VCAT ruling against the proposal on substantial planning and environmental grounds. Moreover, the Minister had earlier stated that his intervention in this application was not appropriate and that "VCAT was the appropriate forum for considering the matter".
The subject land is zoned Rural Conservation with a 15 hectare minimum lot size. It is in a high fire risk bushland setting with no access to services such as public transport, reticulated water and sewerage, and is subject to Environmental Significance and Wildfire Management overlays.
Adieu consistency, certainty, commonsense, transparency, liveability and community trust. Welcome back ad hoc planning, fringe area land banking, nepotism and arrogance. Justin Madden¹s recent modus operandi leaves Rob Maclellan¹s performance for dead.
To quote Dr. Leonie Sandercock (1981): "The national hobby horse of land speculation rides again".
Minister Madden Still
THE Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution has been met with a plethora of objections from landowners who may be hit with a $95,000 per hectare tax bill for the sale of their property if the proposed legislation is passed through Parliament.
Northern Victoria MP Donna Petrovich last week accused the planning minister of “ignoring his responsibilities as he refuses to meet with concerned landowners about the Urban Growth Tax”.
When questioned by Star about Mr Madden’s intentions to meet with local lobby group Taxed Out, a Government spokesperson told Star that the minister’s office had “received a request to meet the group last week, and is under consideration”.
“The GAA (Growth Areas Authority) is most appropriate to meet with community members as they will be administering the contribution if it is passed in Parliament,” he said.
“The ongoing program of consultation is designed to let the community speak openly with the experts about a range of topics, and it is important that this process is free from political interference.
“The Government, which has released a discussion paper about the proposed urban expansion, is about to embark on a program of community consultation starting with eight sessions.”
He refused to answer any further questions regarding Mr Madden’s involvement in the consultation process.
In Parliament last week, Ms Petrovich also asked the minister to meet with her constituents to hear their concerns firsthand.
“Mr Madden refused to acknowledge the request,” she said. She again accused the government of making a “cash grab”.
“Property owners, who now fall under the new urban growth boundaries, will be stripped of their fundamental rights of deciding where they can live and when they can move on,” she said.
“With this pending tax liability all landowners in these areas have, overnight, become a major credit risk through no fault of their own.
“This financial crisis for many landowners lies 100 per cent squarely on the shoulders of Mr Madden.
“It is a very serious matter and it is shameful.
“He needs to hear their concerns firsthand and have some sympathy for what he is imposing on these people,” Ms Petrovich told Parliament.
http://www.senews.com.au/story/76577
Please no second sellout
So the opposition is "poised to agree (with state government) on the $2 billion infrastructure tax" that would allow the government to rezone 43,600 ha of Melbourne’s green wedges for suburban development (The Age, 16/4). On the same day, the "Access to senior Libs for sale" report appeared.
Ten months ago, similar reports of ALP fundraising lunches with the Planning Minister and Premier followed the government’s land deal announcement which, if it goes ahead, will destroy the certainty needed for green wedge protection.
Liberal and Green MPs have been stalwart in opposing the tax which would unfairly burden the 3000 green wedge landowners threatened by this proposal. All parties now need to consider the many conservation, farming and lifestyle landowners who don’t want to be pushed off their green wedge land by by rising rates and urban development pressures.
They should also consider the strategic reasons why in 2002 they supported green wedge protection for environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and food security, landscape and recreation. The lungs of Melbourne are about to suffer a serious, perhaps fatal amputation.
It is time we banned political donations from developers seeking to make profits at the expense of the community’s best interest.
Rosemary West
Protest against 46,000Ha to be ripped from Green Wedges - Tues 14th July
Community rally protesting over the impact of the expansion of Melbourne's urban growth boundary, about to be pushed out by up to 46,000 hectares, for residential development and a freeway/ring road.
Tuesday 14th July, 11:30am, Collins and William St, Melbourne
The rally is organised by Taxed Out Inc., Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. and the Green Wedges Coalition. Community groups have been angered by the announcement that, as reported in the Age of 16 June 2009, Planning Minister Madden will host a luncheon on 14 July 2009 to "brief" developers and business "on the vision for our growth areas and the need to fast track infrastructure investment to create jobs" - and to raise funds for the ALP. It seems that a privileged section of the community can buy the Minister's ear at the expense of other citizens.
Here are the details:
When: 11:30 am Tuesday 14 July 2009
Where: Meet at the South-East Corner of Collins and William Streets, Melbourne. See the red cross on the Google Earth aerial shot attached.
Why: The proposed expansion of Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundary will involve rezoning up to 41,000 hectares for residential development, new roads and a freeway. This policy could bring unprecedented destruction of green wedges; environmental damage plus loss of western grasslands; destruction of wildlife including endangered species; increased greenhouse gas emissions; building of yet more freeways; loss of arable farm land; compulsory acquisition of land; increased tax burdens including the grossly "Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution - GAIC"; and comes as a result of the go-for-growth-at any-cost Government philosophy. Also the erosion of our democracy will be on the cards if the elected State Government bypasses Parliament and local councils over planning and environment issues.
Transport: Trams in Collins and William Streets, some meter parking in Haymarket Street. Train to Flagstaff Station then tram down William Street. Spencer Street then tram down Bourke or Collins to William Street
Bring to Rally: Warm clothes, a cut lunch and something to sit on. Plus a placard. (Some will be provided.)
Support Needed: We would be glad if you can send us a message on behalf of your organisation in support of the rally. This will help prove that you are not city-centric or "NIMBY.” Email to the address below. I will read them out. Make sure to give the name of your group. (Messages of support have already been received from outer suburban and rural groups saying how much they appreciate city folks taking up these issues.) Plus we need people to attend even for a short time.
Contacts: Julianne Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc 0408022408, Rosemary West Green Wedges Coalition 0418 554 799, John Holtham Taxed Out 04091363111.
jbell5@bigpond.com
PROTEST RALLY - Parliament House - 24th Nov, 12:30pm
If we wish to retain the environmental assets of the Green Wedges it is now time to make a stand.
This is our last chance to stop the Green Wedge destruction and landholder rip-off legislation now before Parliament.
Please join
Green Wedges Coalition, Taxed Out, Protectors of Public Lands and Planning Backlash
in a demonstration on the steps of Parliament House
At 12.30 for 1 pm next Tuesday 24 November.
Speakers will include:
- Matthew Guy - Opposition Planning Spokesman
- Greg Barber - Greens planning spokesman
- Michael Hocking - Taxed Out
- Julianne Bell - PPL
- Mary Drost - PB and
- Rosemary West - GWC.
Taxed Out is organising this Rally and has invited GWC, PPL & PB to take part and to speak.
It will be very important to have as many people as possible & to bring placards if you can.
The legislation is due to be debated in the Legislative Assembly on 25 November: please let us also pack the galleries on that day."
Rezone refused to protect 11Ha grassland
MELTON councillors have slammed the Department of Sustainability and Environment's objection to the council's proposal to rezone the Truganina precinct.
The DSE has refused the C65 amendment, which would rezone the rural land to industrial, because of significant native vegetation on one of the properties. The department has requested that 11hectares of grasslands on a 77-hectare property be retained and that a native vegetation precinct plan be prepared.
It has argued the biodiversity values of the site have not been adequately investigated and the development plan overlay schedule was inadequate.
Reservoir Ward councillor Chris Papas slammed the department's decision, saying it was ``exercising its muscle to impede the economic growth'' in the shire.
``This community deserves more than what the DSE is dishing up. ``It means that further jobs are going to be delayed purely because of the DSE.'' Mayor Bruce Rowan said the DSE was putting restrictions on the rezoning after having given ``approval on what the restrictions were in the first place''.
``It appears that bureaucrats are running around trying to justify their existence. I'll contact the premier [John Brumby] and have a bit of a chat [about] whether or not the Government runs the department or whether the department runs the Government.
``I think it's about time that our state representatives got some teeth and told them how their policies should be and run their department.''
DSE spokeswoman Michelle Atkinson said the department was one of the referral authorities for the application under the planning scheme and was negotiating with the applicant.
``Plains grassland was once extensive in the area from Melbourne to Portland,'' Ms Atkinson said.
``Almost all of it has now been destroyed for cropping and grazing purposes. Today, plains grassland is mainly confined to roadsides and other areas too rocky for cultivation, and the overwhelming majority of this vegetation is in private ownership.''
At last week's council meeting, councillors agreed to write to Environment Minister Gavin Jennings to express their concerns about the DSE.
Stop 'land grab'
REJECT the State Government's proposed extension of the
urban growth boundaries. This was the call made to MPs at Tuesday's rally outside Parliament House, attended by about 300 people.
Land owners group Taxed Out organised the rally against the UGB and growth areas infrastructure contribution proposals announced earlier this month by Planning Minister Justin Madden.
Members of Green Wedges Coalition, Protectors of Public Lands and the Planning Backlash attended the rally.
The GWC has made it clear it does not support an extension to Melbourne's UGB.
The UGB extension will result in significant changes to the existing boundaries in Hume, including Sunbury and a small part within Diggers Rest.
The GWC accused Mr Madden of going back on his assurances.
"We had been promised Calder Highway would not be turned into a growth corridor and the Sunbury UGB would stay where it was," GWC joint coordinator Rosemary West said.
Calling for a united front at the rally, Ms West labelled the UGB a "land grab" and reminded demonstrators of the 2002 Green Wedge Protection legislation.
"We can stop this land grab if enough MPs will vote against it in the upper house," Ms West said. Taxed Out has demanded amendments to the GAIC, saying the tax should be levied at the point of development approval and not at the point of sale. The GWC is pushing for no changes to the UGB.
Arnie Azaris, Sunbury resident and GWC joint co-ordinator, said: "We want the UGB to stay, we don't want the boundaries to move. There is sufficient land within the existing boundary to be developed over the 20-30 years."
The Planning Scheme Amendment VC55 and the Planning and Environment (GAIC) Amendment Bill were presented to Parliament on November 24 and November 25, respectively.
Under the PSA VC55 amendment, 24,500 hectares of developable land across Melbourne will be brought in the UGB for development over the next 20-30 years.
For an area like Sunbury, residential development could potentially lead to its population growing to 80,000-90,000 people in 20-30 years.
Hume Mayor Jack Ogilvie said: "Landholders whose land is brought into the UGB can expect the value of their land to increase substantially and the planning for infrastructure will only make this land more attractive to those wishing to develop."
However, not everyone is convinced. "That's what they [the Government] say but we haven't had that [infrastructural development] in the last five years," Ms Azaris said. "Public transport is a joke, water supply is a joke and sewage capacity is a joke."
Questions have also been raised about the benefits of the amendments to the GAIC. According to the amendments, the GAIC tax liability - $ 95,000 per hectare for rezoned land - is on the land developer instead of the vendor. While the council hopes that some of the GAIC will go towards the potential infrastructural development, those opposed to it call the GAIC "unfair".
Taxed Out chairman Michael Hockings said: "After studying land values in the UGB and their long-term developmental potential, we have found that land prices do not increase.
"People whose land has already been in the UGB have seen no increase at all."
The GAIC Bill was passed in the lower house on November 26.
It is expected to come up for debate in the upper house about two weeks.
http://www.macedonrangestelegraph.com.au/news/local/news/general/stop-land-grab/1691781.aspx?storypage=0
Tax thwarts future plans
FOR Coral Saggers, destroying the habitats of animals and losing the peace and tranquillity of rural life are the most disappointing aspects about the extension of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
Mrs Saggers, 62, said she hated to think the serene surrounds of her 10-acre Devon Meadows property could one day be filled with houses.
“I love the peace and quiet and the wildlife here. It’s just pleasant. It’s going to take away animals’ habitats. It’s as simple as that,” she said.
The State Government is looking to extend the UGB and has earmarked 5560 hectares in Casey as an investigation area.
Recent changes to the boundary saw parts of Devon Meadows excluded, but Mrs Saggers said her property remained in the investigation area by “a few hundred metres”. Mrs Saggers feeds kookaburras from her hands most nights at her property and has possums and ducks on her land.
“I love waking up of a morning to the sound of the birds. I thought it would always be like this.”
While the loss of natural environments angered Mrs Saggers, she said she also shared the fury of fellow residents who opposed the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) scheme.
Under the scheme, landowners whose land falls within the UGB from 2009 will be charged a levy of $95,000 per hectare when they sell.
“I have recently lost my husband under tragic circumstances and my 10-acre property is much too big for me to manage.”
Mrs Saggers said she wanted to sell to be closer to her family, but the tax took this right away from her.
“I was going to sell up but the tax puts a stop to that. As it stands now if I were to sell my property I would pay tax of $380,000. This tax is so unfair. It has stopped me from doing what I want to do.”
Mrs Saggers, who is retired, said landowners faced a “double whammy” because council rates would soar.
“Life should be easy-going for me now. I’m still trying to get my head around how they think they can get away with it.”
The State Government is seeking submissions about the proposed changes to the UGB until 17 July.
The Growth Areas Authority (GAA) will hold a meeting today at Cranbourne to inform residents about recent changes to the investigation area.
The meeting will be held from 4pm to 8pm at the Balla Balla Community Centre, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne.
http://www.senews.com.au/story/76709
Thin edge of the wedge
GREEN Wedge campaigner Barry Ross fears the State Government's plans to fast-track development in Melbourne's growth areas show it has "capitulated" to developers.
He said he feared Green Wedge land, which includes parts of Keysborough and Bangholme, could be next to go if the land earmarked for the Government's planned Urban Growth Zone was not used effectively.
Last week Premier John Brumby announced the acceleration of housing development on farmland in five growth corridors, including Casey and Cardinia. Mr Ross said he hoped the land would be divided wisely. "There should be a higher density of dwellings than we are seeing in developments," he said.
"Land that was opened up to be used for 25 years has just seen this sprawl of McMansions and if this new land is just gobbled up the Green Wedge could be next."
Mr Ross, the secretary of the Defenders of the South East Green Wedge, said he was relieved the Urban Growth Zone posed no short-term threat to Green Wedge areas. "It's good to have a break between developments and not just have an urban sprawl," he said.
"It's nice to have a little bit of green to go through."
Sofia Dedes, spokeswoman for Planning Minister Justin Madden, confirmed no Green Wedge land would be used for the new zone.
"Urban Growth Zone refers only to land in the growth areas, inside the Urban Growth Boundary," Ms Dedes said.
"Green Wedges are at the heart of the state and the Brumby Government believes Green Wedges are a key feature to Victoria's liveability."
http://www.dandenongleader.com.au/article/2008/03/17/31403_osv_news.html
UGB hits families
YOUNG families have been left devastated by the new urban growth boundary as their homes make way for development.
For 55 years Malcolm Hand has owned a farming property that was going to be a legacy to his children.
With the UBG expanding by another 41,000ha this dream has been “stolen”.
Malcolm said his 13,000ha were going to be acquired for grasslands.
Close to 140 properties are within the two proposed 15,000ha grassland reserves at Mount Cottrell and Little River.
Malcolm said that since receiving a letter on 22 June, he had felt sick.
“I can’t sleep at night we have to make sure it doesn’t affect our health,” he said.
“We have kids, there goes their inheritance.
“What can we do, the government has already decided to take it, they have made up their mind.
“There is 20 days to put in a submission after 55 years, I don’t know how to write a submission.”
Local residents who attended a public information session last Tuesday were looking for answers as to why their homes could be bulldozed.
Up to 300 properties are set to be purchased under the land grab.
Up to 70 properties will be affected by the Tarneit rail line from Werribee to Sunshine.
Roads Minister Tim Pallas said he was aware of the emotional toll.
“The government doesn’t do these things in an insensitive way,” he said.
“When we talk about acquisition we are talking about people’s land and homes.”
http://www.senews.com.au/story/76832
What NIMBYs?
It’s reassuring to learn from Tim Colebatch (No room for NIMBY Syndrome, The Age 6/4) that we have abundant affordable housing on Melbourne’s fringe. No doubt we’d have more, closer to public transport and services, if large developers were not land banking and if overseas investors were not speculating in our housing markets.
Tim’s critique demonstrates the folly of State Government efforts to rezone 43,600 ha of green wedge land, including western basalt plains grassland, red gum grassy woodlands and fertile farmlands, when the resulting suburban sprawl would cost taxpayers up to $100b for infrastructure, above and beyond the proposed $2b Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution on landholders, many of whom are unwilling to sell.
But who are these NIMBY “interest groups” that Tim says “keep telling us to zone more fringe land for housing?” Key community planning groups including Planning Backlash, Protectors of Public Lands and Green Wedges Coalition, have worked together to oppose the Government’s proposed extension of the Urban Growth Boundary.
I don’t know anyone except developers and MPs who support the Government’s green wedge land grab. If there are NIMBYs pushing development on the fringe, they must be thin on the ground.
Rosemary West