THE fate of the controversial Aspinall Street site will be decided by Greater Bendigo Council tomorrow night.
It will vote on a recommendation to approve a 78-lot subdivision and the removal of native vegetation at 134-166 Aspinall Street, Golden Square.
Cr Peter Cox of Eaglehawk ward urged people to attend the council meeting to hear the debate.
“The forested block, owned by the Catholic Church, is of conservation significance, but more importantly the decision is one that will determine Bendigo’s future landscape,” he said.
“If council does not support the retention of this important conservation area, what hope have other less-significant blocks?
“I believe the Catholic Church has a moral responsibility to protect Bendigo’s natural heritage.
“Development at any cost will see that Bendigo will not be able to attract new residents.
“As councillors we have a responsibility to protect the environment and provide a balanced approach to development.”
The application to create 78 lots was lodged with the city on November 3, 2008. The application also includes the removal of native vegetation.
Last October the land was removed from a list of properties covered by amendment C89 of the
Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme, which seeks to place restrictions on the development of 13 privately owned parcels within the urban growth boundary.
The council’s decision to excise the site has angered the Aspinall Action Group, which consists mostly of residents who live near the proposed development.
It lodged a petition with more than 400 signatures with the council last month.
Group spokesman Greg Williams said it had received an overwhelming response from residents and it reflected the sentiment of many in the area towards the proposal.
The petition is based on the objection to the clearing of vegetation, destruction of habitat and the loss of local amenity that would occur as a result of the proposal.
Mr Williams said it was important that the community saw that the fight for Aspinall Street was also about holding the council accountable for its actions and its willingness to listen to people affected by local decisions.
He said he encouraged people to attend the council meeting tomorrow at 6pm.
The Bendigo and District Environment Council said the council would be defined in the future by what it did at Aspinall Street.
Convenor Stuart Fraser said when people looked back 30 years from now the landscape of Bendigo would not only have been affected by what the planning minister had done to Jackass Flat, but also by what the council did at Aspinall Street.
“We believe the city should exist within the landscape, not imposed upon it,” he said.
“It is the only way for a sustainable future and for a liveable city.”
A spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst was unavailable to comment.
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