Cade Lucas
Wyndham council has been accused of holding back development in Tarniet by dragging out approval processes and favouring large developers over smaller ones.
Five property developers with landholdings near the corner of Leakes Road and Derrimut Road in Tarneit, including former Wyndham councillor Intaj Khan, claim continued delays in the implementation of an urban design framework by Wyndham council has left them in limbo.
An urban design framework (UDF) is a planning and design document that sets out the long term vision for a particular property and is required before it can be developed.
Mr Khan said the slow progress of a UDF for he and his neighbouring landholders in Tarneit, stood in stark contrast to the treatment given to larger property developers.
“While large corporations seem to enjoy support from the Wyndham City Council, smaller developers find themselves grappling with the challenges posed by skyrocketing land taxes,” he said.
“This dissonance in support has created an uneven playing field, hindering the prosperity and progress of local businesses and initiatives.”
In response, Wyndham council rejected the accusation of favouritism.
“We treat all developers and landowners consistently with the requirements of the planning scheme, “ said a council spokesperson.
Another of the group of disgruntled developers, Gilbert Tang from Dreamland Pty Ltd, said he first submitted a UDF for approval in 2020, but that four years on, it is still yet to be approved or declined.
“I have not received any any good response on my application since then,” said Mr Tang who paid $2.8 million for his property at 615 Derrimut Road, Tarneit in 2014.
Wyndham council disputed Mr Tang’s version of events, saying it was he who was responsible for the delay.
“Council considered the proposal in 2020 and provided feedback, requiring the applicant to
prepare an updated draft Urban Design Framework reflecting that feedback,” said a council spokesperson.
“We subsequently received correspondence from the applicant advising that the matter had
been placed on hold.”
Mr Tang had hoped to develop the site into a residential estate similar to those Dreamland has built in Truganina, Point Cook and Deer Park, with 100 homes, 200 apartments, retail and commercial buildings.
However, with the property sitting idle and incurring land tax, he has engaged commercial realtor, CBRE, to try and sell it, with hopes of it fetching as much as $15 million.
