Council to refer Amendments C134 and C136 submissions to independent planning panel hearing

Council will request an independent planning panel be appointed to consider submissions received to Greyfield Renewal Amendments C134 and C136 to the Maroondah Planning Scheme following a resolution at a Council meeting on Monday 22 March.

Council has resolved to refer Amendment C134 (Ringwood Greyfield Renewal Project) and Amendment C136 (Croydon South Greyfield Renewal Project) to the Minister for Planning, requesting that the Minister appoint Planning Panels Victoria to independently assess and review all submissions lodged with Council.

The proposed Amendments are the result of collaboration between the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Council and the Ringwood, Croydon South and wider Maroondah communities to manage and enhance the character and housing provision within each precinct as part of the Greening the Greyfields project.

The Greyfields concept has been integrated into Plan Melbourne, the Victorian Government’s strategic document for the sustainable growth of Melbourne, putting Maroondah at the leading edge of urban planning. 

A total of 17 submissions were received during the public exhibition period of Amendments C134 and C136, from 25 January to 26 February 2021.

Of those submissions received, 11 reflect total or partial support for the Amendments, with 10 opposed.

Matters raised in the submissions related to intended built form, traffic and car parking, neighbourhood character, access to services, pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and property value impacts.

Extensive community engagement has been carried out in recent years for the Ringwood and Croydon South Greyfield Renewal Precincts. During this time, several community engagement workshops have been conducted, building design guides prepared and feasibility analysis undertaken to help determine new planning provisions.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Kylie Spears said applying a ‘precinct’ approach to development meant that landowners, residents, investors and governments could work together to positively transform local neighbourhoods.

“Council is committed to looking at new ways of developing our city so that we can provide for our growing population in a sustainable way,” Cr Spears said.

“Greening the Greyfields is a project involving extensive research and land analysis to identify local neighbourhoods in which better, more careful design can be applied.

“The aim is that through collaboration, larger lots can be developed which can lead to better design outcomes, improved open spaces and tree canopy cover, reduced demand for on-street parking, more efficient use of land and potential for new parkland beautification projects,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to lodge a submission with Council. Council has now requested that the Minister for Planning appoint an independent planning panel to consider all submissions,” Cr Spears said.

Following the appointment of an independent panel to review the submissions, Council will consider any recommendations put forward by the panel and decide to either adopt, alter or abandon one or both Amendments.

Council will refer any late submissions to the independent panel.

Read more about