Whitehorse amendment to curb 'Rogue Developers'

The Minister for Planning and Local Government, Mr. Maclellan, has approved amendment L42 to the Whitehorse Planning Scheme to prevent an ‘inappropriate’ development at 5 Delaney Ave. Burwood and to also discourage other ‘rogue developers’ in future.

The initial proposal for the Burwood site was to construct a dual occupancy development, which was rejected the Council as inappropriate over-development. Whilst the matter was being appealed to the AAT, the developer proceeded to build a double-storey dwelling – effectively on half of the original proposal – which would later be ‘extended’ as a means of incorporating the second dwelling. Amendment L42 stipulates that any further development of the site must simply with the Good Design Guide for Medium-density Housing.

Mr. Maclellan said the proposal was ‘an act of contempt for the planning process and quite inappropriate’. He added that, had the site been strategically planned, in accordance with the Good Design Guide, then it would never have been possible to build the first ‘half’ of the dwellings.

‘By approving this Amendment, I am sending a clear message that this kind of blatant disregard for the planning system will not be tolerated,’ Mr. Maclellan said.

(News Release, Minister for Planning and Local Government, November 24, 1998)