A SITE near Axedale has been proposed as the location for a 43 lot subdivision, despite its high bushfire risk.
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The 435.3 hectare site sits directly north of the McIvor Highway at 342 Hawkins Lane, Axedale. It is about two kilometres west of the Axedale township and 18 kilometres east of Bendigo, zoned rural living.
A bushfire risk assessment stated the southern part of the site, and a small area in its northern part, sit within Victoria's bushfire management overlay.
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This overlay means a planning permit is required for certain types of development, to make sure bushfire risk is in considered and protection measures are in place.
The entire site is also within a declared bushfire prone area under the 2018 Building Regulations.
A bushfire hazard landscape assessment concluded fire risk was high within the planning scheme's risk spectrum.
It also noted forested and woodland hazard areas near the site had potential to generate large bushfires, making it important all lots had defendable space.
The site's bushfire management plan includes requirements to keep grass closely cropped during the fire danger period, and to remove leaves and vegetation debris. No buildings will be allowed overhanging trees, or plants taller than 10 centimetres within three metres of a window.
Each lot will be required to have 10,000 litres of effective water supply to be kept in an above ground tank for fire-fighting purposes.
Plans for the subdivision met requirements such as designing siting to make sure buildings are as far away as possible from a bushfire hazard, and near a public road.
A traffic impacts assessment concluded the subdivision would cause no substantial change in turning traffic at existing McIvor Highway intersections.
It stated the development would not significantly affects Obriens Lane's intersection with the McIvor Highway, as only two extra vehicles were likely be turning right onto the lane during the afternoon peak.
It stated only one extra vehicle would likely be turning right onto the McIvor Highway and Sugarloaf Road intersection at the afternoon peak.
Trafficworks analysis estimated the subdivision would generate 430 vehicle trips per day, with 37 trips per hour at its peak.
Reports in the application documents said it was unlikely any protected flora or fauna species had significant habitat within the site.
It was also not an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, reports stated.
The proposed subdivision site is made up of 18 titles, bounded by the McIvor Highway, and Obriens and Hawkins lanes, application documents state.
Ten of the proposed lots are greater than eight hectares, meaning they do not require a planning permit under the minimum area provisions of the zone.
Thirty-three of the lots require a permit as they are less than eight hectares, spanning between 2.12 and 6.06 hectares.
Applicant Longlea Holdings put the application to the City of Greater Bendigo in July.
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