TRAFFIC fears were one of the major factors in Wyndham Council’s decision to knock back a plan which would have paved the way for a $1 billion housing estate in the municipality’s west.
On Monday, councillors rejected the draft Black Forest Road South precinct structure plan until a series of issues are “resolved to the council’s satisfaction” by the Growth Areas Authority (GAA) and other state agencies.
As reported by the Weekly, the estate could accommodate almost 15,000 residents.
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The council called for the adoption of a strategy to stagger the release of the 5200 proposed lots to ease the strain on Wyndham’s transport network.
The proposed estate by developer Lend Lease would be built on a 438-hectare site between Black Forest, McGrath and Bulbans roads in Wyndham Vale.
There are plans for four schools, community, sport and recreation facilities, open space with lakes and waterways and a shopping centre. A key feature is a proposal to create a lake complex along Lollypop Creek in the centre of the precinct to retain water which inundates the site during floods.
The council also supports a new railway station next to the Browns and Galvin roads level crossing to service growth in Wyndham’s west.
A report to councillors stated the council had been given just over a month by the GAA to consider the plan, which in its view was insufficient.
Chaffey ward’s Cr Marcel Mahfoud said the plan was “not something which should be rushed through”.
“We’re talking about an extra 14,000 residents which will have a significant impact on local traffic.”
Councillors also voted to support a separate proposal to link the release of housing lots in Wyndham’s west to the construction of major road projects, including Armstrong and Ison roads and an overpass over the Werribee-Geelong railway line.
These projects would be funded through cash advancements and cost-sharing arrangements between the council, developers and the state government.
