At 2.33pm Yesterday, 19th June, the City of Port Phillip Council advised VCAT that it did not support the amended proposal submitted by the entity Elwood Tiuna Developments Pty. Ltd. The Council stated the following grounds for refusal:
- The proposed development fails to achieve the purpose of the Neighbourhood Residential Zone or the objective of Schedule 6 to the NRZ.
- The proposed development fails to meet all the objectives of Clause 55.
- The extent of screening required to prevent overlooking of existing neighbouring secluded private open space and/or habitable room windows would unreasonably impact upon the internal amenity of several dwellings within the proposed development.
- The proposed development fails to encourage alternative modes of transport.
The specific items within clause 55 that were not met were the Neighbourhood Character and Landscaping requirements.
We are very pleased that the Council has rejected the amended proposal and wholeheartedly agree with the decision. We further congratulate the Council and its Officers for their strong resistance to this attack on the planning scheme.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting at 6.30pm last night in the Council Chambers, we formally presented this petition to Council. The Council Officer recommendation, after the petition was received, included a motion to apply to the Minister for interim heritage controls on 3 and 5 Tiuna Grove. The motion was unanimously passed. This means that a demolition permit will not be issued until the Minister has considered the application, at the very least, which we hope will spare these buildings until the matter can be heard at VCAT. This is a magnificent result and we wholeheartedly thank the Council for ensuring that natural justice is served in this instance.
Please keep sharing this petition so that we show the Minister that the community wants him to protect these important Elwood buildings.