Divisive plans out of character, court rules

A NEIGHBOURHOOD dispute over plans to subdivide a 2.4ha Teesdale lot has landed before the courts.

Golden Plains Shire councillors earlier this year approved plans lodged by Josco Pty Ltd to carve up the Rivers Dr block into four parcels of land. But VCAT senior member John Bennett struck down the permit last week, telling the applicants the development was out of character with the rest of the area.

Surrounding landowners had raised concerns with noise, traffic, neighbourhood character and a lack of adequate on-site drainage.

Concerns were also raised about the level of noise when vehicles used the driveway close to a neighbour’s house.

But the shire and the applicant argued the proposed 4000 sqm blocks would “acceptably” respond to planning scheme guidelines.

Mr Bennett, who inspected the streets of Teesdale earlier last month, said most of the local subdivisions were made up of two or three lots.

“My major concern with the proposal is the decision to create four lots,” he said.

“I am not persuaded it is consistent with the low-density character which exists in this part of Teesdale.

“I earlier observed in my reasons that apart from the seven-lot re-subdivision at the western end of Eagle Court, the other re-subdivisions of the original lots have each created two or three lots.”

Mr Bennett dismissed complaints about increased traffic, but agreed with concerns about stormwater retention in the area.

“Inadequate drainage is a pre-existing problem that needs to be attended to, whether or not this subdivision is approved,” he said. “Council has recognised that something needs to be done on an area-wide basis and has commenced a flood study for the whole of Teesdale.”