Hills protected

By Ed Merrison
ELATION and celebration are the mood of the Foothills after news its beloved backyards will be respected and protected.
Planning Minister Rob Hulls last week announced his approval of Knox Planning Scheme Amendment C40, commonly known as the Foothills Policy.
The amendment aims to preserve the area’s natural character against inappropriate and excessive development.
“It’s obviously a day of elation and a day of community celebration,” said Dobson Ward councillor Karin Orpen.
“Now, at least, there’s a place in Melbourne where backyards are valued and where children will be able to run happy and free.”
The amendment places specific planning controls on fence heights, site coverage, canopy trees, building heights and open space.
Cr Orpen said it also made it less likely that council decisions would be overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The controls follow five years of public consultation and a review by an independent panel which conducted hearings in May.
Knox City Council adopted the amendment in mid-September after a consideration of the panel’s report.
Mr Hulls was pleased to formalise controls he said reflected a commitment to balance development pressure against the wishes of residents to retain local characteristics they held dear.
“The new controls ensure that this beautiful area on the edge of the city is safe for future generations to enjoy,” he said.
“The foothills are the gateway to the ever popular Dandenongs, and this amendment will ensure that development occurs in line with community expectations that this recreational gem retains its character and charm.”
Monbulk MP James Merlino and Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein congratulated the council on its hard work and said the controls were a great win for residents.
“We are very lucky to have such a beautiful, natural area for families to relax and enjoy so close to a major city and this amendment will help to keep the Dandenongs and their foothills leafy and green for future generations to enjoy,” Ms Eckstein said.
Knox mayor David Cooper in turn thanked Mr Hulls and praised Mr Merlino, Ms Eckstein and soon-to-retire Upper House MP Helen Buckingham for their “assistance in achieving approval of the much-needed planning changes”.
There was further good news for Knox as Mr Hulls also approved the Knox Housing Statement, amendment C46 to the Knox Planning Scheme.
The amendment sets a framework for assessing housing proposals throughout the municipality and directs new development to large activity centres, redevelopment sites and along roads connected to the public transport network.
But Cr Orpen added a note of caution, saying whichever party won the forthcoming election must respect planning scheme amendments.
She said the controls set out in C40 existed in the early ‘90s until the Kennett Government removed them.
“The community and I have worked towards this for five years and most of that has been clawing back what we had in the past,” she said.
The Opposition, which announced its intention to back C40 at the beginning of October, has also vowed to “withdraw Melbourne 2030” should it be elected.
Cr Orpen said Melbourne 2030 needed to be reviewed but said regional variations achieved by councils needed to be retained.
“Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water,” she said.