Developer withdraws planning amendment
A developer has withdrawn an application to amend a planning permit to enable removal four trees in Weebar Rd, Drouin.
The application, from Xwb Consulting, sought to amend an existing planning permit so the company could remove additional vegetation from within the Weebar Rd reserve.
Planning staff advised councillors several of the trees were listed on council’s significant tree register. There were six objections to the proposal. However, when the matter was presented to council last week, councillors were told the applicant had withdrawn the application on Tuesday.
The 2.4 hectare site adjoins Drouin Secondary College to the west. A permit was issued in December 2017 for a 13 lot residential subdivision.
A condition of the planning permit required the developer to bore under vegetation within the road reserve to ensure the trees were retained.
The applicant sought to delete this condition, stating the cost of boring under the trees was too costly.
Planners said the proposed amendment was “unacceptable.”
“The vegetation is highly significant within the streetscape.
The removal of the vegetation will have a significant impact upon the emerging streetscape character of the developing areas of Drouin.
“The trees are a valued council asset that contribute to and enhance the natural environment of the area,” planners said.
A separate application to remove nine trees from another road reserve in Weebar Rd is still to be considered by council.
Council is the applicant in the second application that seeks to remove nine trees in a council road reserve on behalf of the developer of an adjoining residential estate.
The application is still being considered by officers.
Officers said tree removal so far had enabled the contractor to facilitate road widening, kerb and channel, a new footpath and a new mains sewer.