By ALESHA CAPONE
CONTROVERSIAL new guidelines allowing four-storey developments within St Albans’ CBD, Watergardens and close to Keilor Plains train station have been adopted by Brimbank City Council.
Last week, the council’s administrators endorsed the State Government’s new residential zones and a modified municipal housing strategy.
The council received 75 written submissions on the proposals, with 11 in favour and 64 against.
Some public submissions received by the council have praised the idea of high-growth developments because they will bring more business to the area.
However, many residents have said the plans will lead to too many cars and not enough car parking, especially in the already-busy Sunshine and St Albans areas.
Some of the submissions pointed out St Albans, with an estimated population increase of just 73 new residents per year, will face the most high-density development within Brimbank.
Residents said this was discriminating against their suburb and will reduce living standards.
“To accommodate the extra 73 people/year, BCC wants to change 1810 lots to high density living – lots with blocks of flats four storeys high,” one response said.
“It is grossly out of proportion.
“Deer Park has twice the annual population increase, they have a rail station and only half the population density, yet, they have zero high density lots.
“Why are the people of St Albans being treated as second class citizens?”
A submission from the Keilor Historical Society also has called on the council to honour the area’s village character and not “put at risk” its heritage.
The new residential scheme will introduce three new zones for Brimbank including a Neighbourhood Residential Zone,which will allow for homes with a standard maximum of two storeys.
The Greater Residential Zone, to be applied in areas around the Deer Park, Ginifer, Albion, Ardeer and Sydenham train stations plus a large part of Sunshine, will allow three storeys.
The Residential Growth Zone (RGZ) will permit four storeys and apply to areas around the St Albans, Keilor Plains and Watergardens train stations.
Developments of five or more dwellings in RGZs will be required to provide one visitor car space per five homes.
Chair of the Brimbank administrators, John Watson, said the new residential zones ensured the municipality’s “valued suburban character” would be maintained while balancing the need for new housing.
