A LOCAL group will fight plans for a 23-lot development at Kangaroo Flat.
City of Greater Bendigo councillors narrowly voted in favour of the Robert Street development at a meeting on February 13.
Jennifer O’Shannessy said she sent forms to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal yesterday in a bid to overturn the decision.
The Archer Street resident said she was concerned by the development, which received 36 objections, noting the loss of native flora and fauna.
“The three basic arguments are that it will decimate the environment, create a dangerous traffic situation, and we’re not satisfied with the solution proposed to mitigate flooding,” she said. “I’m bitterly disappointed by the decision.
“We had a meeting with 24 residents recently and they voted almost unanimously to go to VCAT.”
Dr O’Shannessy said she was concerned the development would be noisy and would lead to a green part of Bendigo being destroyed.
The plans passed by one vote at the last council meeting, and Cr Rod Fyffe said it was an example of “sloppy, lazy planning.”
But Cr Barry Lyons said a “reasonably good, but not perfect compromise” had been reached and Cr Rod Campbell said the owners had a right to develop the site. Steve Pole of developer Spiire told the Bendigo Advertiser last November the residents’ concerns had been addressed.
“Some of the concerns were with access to Lansell Plaza and Railway Street,” he said.
“We’ve addressed those concerns and increased vegetation protection on Railway Street frontage.
“The DSE has given its consent for the removal of most of the vegetation on the site.
“We have to pay for offsets for that.
“And the drainage will be taken care of as part of the development.”
He said a site assessment showed a low to medium conservation quality.
The motion passed the council with 20 conditions.