Town rallies against plan

By Tania Martin
EMERALD residents are mounting a ‘say no’ campaign to a three-storey proposed development in the heart of town and have questioned the rational behind some of the proposed uses.
Residents are being urged to attend a town meeting on Thursday night at the Emerald Community Hall to find out more information about the development.
The proposed development at 386 Belgrave-Gembrook Road is for a multi-level complex which would house offices, a medical centre, licensed food and drink premises and serviced apartments.
However, nearby residents have raised concerns over parking, the removal of vegetation, that it is an over development of the area and at the proposed use of the development.
Frank McGuire, Emerald Village Committee (EVC) secretary, said several residents had also questioned the developers plan to build a medical centre in town because of the current doctors shortage.
He said residents were concerned that if a new medical centre was built there would be no doctors to run the centre.
Mr McGuire said the EVC had written to Cardinia Shire Council outlining its concerns over the development and was urging other residents to write individual submissions.
David Greenaway from Emerald said it was now time for residents to stand strong against the proposed development and submit their concerns to the council.
He said residents interested in learning more about the development or the ‘say no’ campaign should attend the town meeting on Thursday.
Despite residents’ concerns that the proposal was an overdevelopment of the area, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said planning regulations under the Cardinia Planning Scheme already provide protection from inappropriate development and overdevelopment.
Ms Lobato said a proposal that is out of keeping with the local neighbourhood character should not be approved under planning guidelines.
She has also encouraged residents who are concerned about the proposal to examine the application closely and put their concerns in writing to the council, based on established planning criteria.
Ms Lobato said the State Policy Planning Framework requires planning applications to protect biodiversity, ensure adequate open space, conserve areas of heritage and encourage use of land that is energy efficient.
“The framework also requires that new development should be in keeping with existing streetscapes, not overshadow other properties, and reflect the particular characteristics and cultural identity of community.
“These are matters that Cardinia Shire Council will need to take into account when it considers the application.
“Proposals that do not meet these requirements should rightly be refused by council, as stipulated under these current planning regulations,” she said.