By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has refused two housing proposals in residential areas of Point Cook and Tarneit.
One of the proposals was seeking permission to build seven-double storey houses across two lots at 1 and 3 Nagle Drive in Point Cook.
The other application sought to build two double-storey dwellings at 5 Honeyeater Court in Tarneit.
More than 125 people signed a Change.org petition against the Point Cook development.
The council also received 16 objections to the planning permit, although the application was exempt from public consultation.
Residents raised concerns about over-development, traffic congestion and road safety.
Resident Irfan Ahamed, who spoke at the council meeting, said the seven dwellings could have “a significant impact” on a children’s climbing park and recreational walking paths opposite the proposed development.
Mr Ahamed said residents were worried that additional traffic generated by the development could cause a “safety hazard” in Nagle Drive.
“This particular road, being a narrow arterial road with a major children’s play area nearby, will result in increasing traffic hazard risks and more congestion, and also negatively impact the neighborhood character,” he said.
Some Wyndham councillors voted in favour of the Nagle Drive proposal, citing concerns that if they were to reject the application, the developer would likely appeal to VCAT and win.
However, a majority of councillors voted against the proposal.
Cr Susan McIntyre said she believed the development would have an “unacceptable impact” upon the amenity of the area.
Cr Jasmine Hill said that she agreed with residents who said the development could pose a potential safety risk in terms of traffic.
“In my opinion, as long as there still is a chance, we should still fight for residents,” she said.
The council received 21 objections to the Tarneit proposal.
The objectors raised concerns about the development’s possible impacts on neighbourhood character, overlooking, traffic, public health and amenity issues.
The council unanimously voted to reject the proposal.
