By Cimara Pearce
ANGRY Taylors Hill residents are set to pursue legal action after claiming they were misled about the development of a park in their estate.
Residents in and around Omarama Way and Clarence Way are up in arms over Melton Shire Council’s plans to build a youth and community centre on land they say was promised as parkland.
Residents told Star last week that promises of parkland opposite their newly purchased homes had been used as a major selling point during the sale process.
But the council sent letters to residents in Omarama Way on 4 March advising of the new development and that there were no grounds to appeal.
“This means you do not have a right to make a formal objection to the application or appeal council’s decision,” the letter said.
The move has left home owners in surrounding streets devastated and angry, with residents arguing they paid more money for their land than others in the estate because of their proximity to the planned park.
A couple who live in Omarama Way said they had asked the Council in December 2008 and again in February 2009 if the proposed park would still be built.
The couple said the Council told them the park would still go ahead and showed them the plans for the parkland.
However copies of the plans for stage one of the community centre obtained by Star are dated May 2008.
Clarence Way homeowner Drew Russell said residents felt cheated and neglected.
“When we bought into this we were promised we would have a park. It was used as a selling point by Australand,” Mr Russell said.
“They’ve falsely sold this land to us on the promise that that there would be a park there.”
Star tried contacting Australand for comment but phone calls were not returned before deadline.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said he believed the community centre would be dangerous in a residential area and was concerned about the welfare of children in surrounding streets.
“The centre will increase noise pollution, increase traffic and car fumes, hoon driving and headlight glare into residential houses during night time,” he said.
“Melton Shire Council should not have released misleading information during the land purchase process and once surrounding lots had been confirmed sold, to completely change the proposal all together.”
Melton Council planning manager Bob Baggio said there would be no traffic issues for the area.
Despite the letter sent to residents stating the decision was final, Mr Baggio insisted that appeals would be considered.
“Council will consider the application at a future meeting. Objections can be lodged up until the day the application is considered by council,” he said.
“Any affected residents are welcomed to view the application and plans at Melton Civic Centre.”
The youth centre is stage one of the development and it is proposed that stage two will be a recreational facility, including sporting ovals.
Council said it was its intention to include some parkland within stage two of the development.
