By Alesha Capone
A request to rezone land at Point Cook to allow the site to be developed for medium density housing has been referred to an independent planning panel.
Wyndham council had been asked to rezone the land, at 315 Boardwalk Boulevard, from farming zone to a general residential zone.
The developer has also asked the council to apply a Development Plan Overlay on the Boardwalk Boulevard land.
Surrounding land owners and occupiers were notified of the potential rezoning last year and a period of public consultation was held.
The council received 14 submissions on the rezoning – the majority were against the rezoning entirely or in its present form.
Ten of the submissions were from individuals the remaining four were from a local school, the Environment Protection Authority, City West Water and the Department of Transport.
Objections included the pressure a development would place on Point Cook’s infrastructure such as schools, traffic, transport and parks.
Other concerns included reduced property values because of additional land supply; a “lack of details” on traffic management; and a request to incorporate a public swimming pool within the subject site.
The council voted to refer the 10 submissions which did not support the amendment in its current form, to an independent planning panel.
A directions hearing is scheduled for the week beginning April 6, with the panel hearing to follow in the week beginning May 4.
Following the hearing, the panel will release a report with its recommendations.
A subsequent report is expected to be made to council later this year, to review the panel recommendations.
If council supports the rezoning, it will be submitted to the minister for planning.
