Council & Business
29 August, 2022
Four-dwelling lot approved despite concerns
Central Goldfields Shire councillors have approved a planning permit application for four dwellings to be built in Outtrim Street despite an objection and councillor concerns. Councillors approved the application at last week’s ordinary council...
Central Goldfields Shire councillors have approved a planning permit application for four dwellings to be built in Outtrim Street despite an objection and councillor concerns.
Councillors approved the application at last week’s ordinary council meeting with a number of conditions, despite receiving one objection to the proposed development and two councillors having concerns regarding the proposal.
The application, which was lodged in December, seeks to demolish the existing structure at 28 Outtrim Street and build three single-storey, two-bedroom dwellings and one double-storey house in its place, according to the report tabled to council.
Located on the eastern side of Outtrim Street, the site has an area of 854.52 square metres, with each of the four dwellings having an area of at between 35 and 58 square metres.
The report states the application was advertised to eight adjoining and surrounding owners and occupiers via letters.
The application received one objection, according to the report, on the grounds that shadow lines of the proposed buildings were not accurate and the impact a multi-storey building would have on the neighbourhood character.
The objector also requested written undertaking from the developer on a number of construction related issues, including ensuring boundary pegs would not be interfered with, security fencing would not be moved or damaged and foul language from construction crews was not acceptable.
“I, like all my fellow councillors, have been and inspected the site at 28 Outtrim Street, Maryborough, to see what is proposed to be done there,” councillor Geoff Lovett said during the meeting.
“As this application fulfills all the requirements of the planning scheme and a lot of work and thought has been put into it, I have no problem in moving this motion.”
Cr Lovett said the development would work to curb Maryborough’s “critical lack” of housing, and believed developments which demolish existing structures will become more common.
“I think importantly here in Maryborough we’re going to have to get used to this sort of application,” he said.
“At 28 Outtrim Street there is an existing house in quite good condition, but on an extremely large block of land.
“In Maryborough itself we have a critical lack of vacant land and at current uptake, my guess is in less than a decade we’re going to run out of open space in Maryborough.
“Historically, one thing we haven’t seen a lot of here is what’s called infill developments and that’s what this is — where an existing home will be demolished to either build a new residence or multiple residences.
“I think in the near future, we as a council are going to see more of these applications for infill developments.”
While councillors moved unanimously to approve the planning permit, Cr Gerard Murphy questioned the need for one of the buildings to be two-storey.
“The two-storey dwelling is going to stand out as you drive up there, it’s just going to stick out like a pimple,” he said.
“Whilst I agree with the whole concept of this, I just think the whole development could have been single storey.”
It was a concern echoed by Cr Liesbeth Long, who said the shadows caused by the two-storey building would impact neighbours.
“I will be voting in favour of this but I have reservations about it, this is in regards to the shadow line of the proposed buildings,” she said.
“During the day the block next to this development will have partial shadow from the two-storey building and I think that could impact their gardening.”