By Taylah Eastwell
A controversial proposal for a multi-storey development in a Ferntree Gully residential street has been knocked back by council.
Members of the community against the development are celebrating the decision after extensive advocacy work to protect privacy in the foothills suburb.
Glengollan Village, a not-for-profit aged care provider with a long history in Ferntree Gully, had submitted an application to Knox City Council for a permit to build a two-storey aged care facility at 2-8 Saint Elmo Avenue.
A large group of neighbouring residents, who dubbed the design the ‘Glengollan Skyscraper’, fought hard to oppose the development, fearing it would block mountain views, remove backyard privacy, lower house prices, unnecessarily remove vegetation, increase traffic, create unnecessary “bulk” and be an overdevelopment of the land in the leafy residential street.
Knox City councillors voted to oppose the planning permit at councils 24 May meeting.
Chandler Ward councillor Jude Dwight suggested council issue a notice of refusal to grant a planning permit on the basis that the proposed aged-care facility did not respect the landscape and was not in line with neighbourhood character and other standards under the Knox Planning Scheme.
The extent of vegetation removal at the site was also said to be “inappropriate” and failed to meet environmental and landscape overlays, with insignificant space provided at the front and rear of the site.
“The proposed development results in significant and inappropriate visual bulk when viewed from the neighbouring properties,” Cr Dwight said.
“The proposal is considered to have a significant social effect on the community due to the substantial number of objections received to the application,” she said.
The refusal was a welcomed surprise to members of the Ferntree Gully against Glengollan Skyscraper group, given state government rules introduced in 2018 make it easier for aged-care facilities to disregard local planning restrictions.
“After carefully weighing everything up, it appears to me that planning exemptions for aged-care are being taken advantage of and the risk we as councillors cant ignore is the precedent this sets,” Cr Dwight said.
Member of Ferntree Gully against Glengollan Skyscraper group, Andre Cooke said the group went to the 24 May meeting “expecting the worst”.
“It’s been a long fight, so we are all very pleased with the outcome. As soon as we got out of the council chambers we all cheered hip hip hooray, we did it,” Mr Cooke said.
But the fight may not be over yet, as Glengollan Village may take the matter to VCAT.
“We won’t give up. We are all still keen to make this thing stop. It goes to show that if people like us can have a win then other people may also be able to do some good,” Mr Cooke said.
Cr Dwight said Glengollan Village had held “a great presence” in the community since 1956 and encouraged decision makers to “realise the full impact of this pursuit”.
“At the end of the day, for growth of community to occur, it might cost more than the cheapest option. For social cohesion and neighbourhood pride, it might come at a cost. An approach which embraces that social responsibility is needed,” she said.
President of Glengollan Village board, Neville Sanders said “naturally, Glengollan is disappointed at the decision by Knox City councillors”.
According to Mr Sanders, a report from council planning officers supported the application and recommended a permit be issued.
“We are considering an appeal to VCAT but must wait for the formal rejection,” Mr Sanders said.
