THE development of 171 residential lots in Leongatha has moved towards realisation, with councillors voting on Wednesday to support rezoning of land at 108 and 110 Parr Street from Farming Zone to General Residential Zone – Schedule 1.
They voted unanimously to adopt the relevant Planning Scheme Amendment and submit it to the Minister for Planning for approval.
While Cr Sarah Gilligan expressed reservations, she elected to support the rezoning in the interests of allowing the development of needed housing.
She remarked that while much of council’s work in recent years has been directed at advising people not to build in floodplains and considering planning decisions to reflect that, this proposed development is situated along Coalition Creek.
While council’s removal of parts of a flood overlay in relation to the land concerned rang alarm bells for Cr Gilligan, she said West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and other relevant agencies have been involved in the process.
“I have to trust the science,” Cr Gilligan said of the information received, noting the buffer zone factored into the development to reduce flooding risks to houses.
“Larger lots are proposed along the Coalition Creek frontage to address potential flood risk and ensure any future dwellings can be located outside the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay,” council stated.
“There are some concerns in this subdivision, but I support it because Leongatha has to grow and we need to put houses somewhere,” Cr Gilligan said.
Cr Bron Beach noted a small number of people provided feedback on the prospective development, saying some raised concerns about accessibility, and additional traffic on the roads if the project proceeds.
“But I also look at those long-term benefits of all this additional housing for Leongatha, which is, I think, a fantastic thing for our future,” she said, adding that “The housing crisis is real.”
Cr Clare Williams stressed the appropriate process has been followed, saying the proposal was put forward during the previous council term.
Council notes that the amendment, which councillors have voted to support, was publicly exhibited in November 2024, attracting 12 submissions.
“As some of the objections were not resolved, the matter was referred to an independent planning panel,” council states, noting the panel supported the amendment and recommended it be adopted, subject to a minor modification to a permit condition.
As well as rezoning the land, the amendment removes the Environmental Significance Overlay – Schedule 2, and the Erosion Management Overlay – Schedule 1 and adjusts the extent of the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay affecting the site.
