A GROUP of Jackass Flat residents is calling on the council to preserve vegetation on a block slated for subdivision.
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Plans for a 72-lot subdivision at 11 Harveys Lane will come before councillors on Wednesday during the City of Greater Bendigo's March meeting.
"There will be subdivision - we know that and are not averse to it," Mary Preston, the spokesperson for the residents, said.
They just wanted the council to give more consideration to a proposal they said threatened to destroy the last of the remaining natural bushland on the lane.
The city's staffers have recommended councillors give the development plan the green light.
Residents met with the council and the developer, Villawood Properties, in January to discuss their concerns.
They still believed the plan could be improved.
"We believe there is a strong case for council to force the developer to incorporate the significant mature trees on the site into their new designs," Mrs Preston said.
"We've been to numerous community events where we've seen the council's 'Greening Greater Bendigo' team encouraging us to think about the value of trees and green spaces to improve liveability in urban areas.
"Now we have an example right across the road from us with great trees which are all about to be cleared in one fell swoop."
Villawood Properties regional general manager Julian Perez said about two acres of trees would be retained at the 6.475 hectare site.
He said the development plan was consistent with the Jackass Flat vegetation precinct plan, which showed which trees ought to be retained.
"Most of the trees on the lots will go," Mr Perez said.
The proposal includes two reserves to the extreme east and west of the site, and a drainage reserve to the east of the block.
"Part of that retains the better quality trees on site," Mr Perez said.
A total of 0.229 hectares of vegetation would be cleared, according to the report included in Wednesday's meeting agenda.
That accounts for the majority of vegetation on the site, with the exception of the areas identified for reserves.
The report noted the developer agreed to remove only the minimum vegetation required to complete the subdivision in light of the residents' concerns.
"It should be noted, however, that they [developer] are not agreeable to an ongoing restriction on this vegetation," the agenda stated.
Harveys Lane residents also raised concerns about traffic issues such as speeding along the 50-kilometre stretch of road.
"The traffic count found 85 per cent of vehicles were travelling at an average speed of 62 kilometres an hour," the report to councillors stated.
"This speed is deemed to be high, but not unsurprising given the current semi-rural nature of Harveys Lane.
"The city's engineers are of the view this speed will decrease as more houses are built."
Residents had suggested a roundabout be built at the intersection with Lipari Drive.
The city's engineers did not support the suggestion because of low traffic volume and 'good sight distances'.
Mr Perez said the road would be widened as part of the proposal.
He said a roundabout was not included in the plan because it was not supported by the council's staffers.
"We're providing affordable housing in a precinct where council is actively encouraging development," Mr Perez said.
He said the application was submitted eight months ago and was in line with council's rules.
Mr Perez said changes were made following the January meeting in response to the residents' concerns.
"I think we've come up with an excellent compromise," he said.
Only one of the six submissions to the council has been withdrawn.
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