By Mara Pattison-
YARRAVILLE residents are angry after Maribyrnong City Council approved a permit for a double-storey block of units in a heritage-fronted street.
Residents made 22 formal objections to the designs for 11-13 Fielding St, but the permit was passed with a majority at last week’s council meeting.
The developer plans to demolish the existing house and bungalow and construct four double-storey units in their place.
Residents told Star they felt their views had been disregarded “for the sake of progress”.
Next-door neighbour Simon Burns said concerns about parking, the heritage overlay, and the size of the development were “basically just brushed to one side”.
“There’s no point having a heritage overlay policy on the area if this sort of development gets a green light,” he said.
He said his home’s main living area had been renovated to take advantage of the morning sun, and this would be overshadowed by the new development.
Sheoak Ward councillor Martin Zakharov said at the meeting that high-density living was a reality that the municipality had to face.
“It’s not an easy choice for any of us to make … but the only way forward is to accept that we are facing high-density living and try to deal with these developments as they do come up.”
Cr Zakharov said it was better to negotiate amendments with developers than leave the matter to VCAT, which wouldn’t make the same concessions.
Residents spoke to Star about the possibility of appealing the decision with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal but had been told they would be unsuccessful.
John Efthimiadis, a Fielding St resident of 44 years, said he wouldn’t be able to access the side of his house if the proposed garage was built, just 15cm away.
