Glen Eira plans a sweet and sour future
The Property Council has cautiously welcomed the City of Glen Eira’s new residential planning zones, noting they contain a mixture of sweet and sour elements.
Victorian Property Council Executive Director, Jennifer Cunich said that while three important high growth areas have been singled out for development, key opportunities to better utilise vital transport nodes had been missed.
“The restrictive components of the new zoning arrangements will no doubt please local activists who would like to freeze dry Glen Eira, but they effectively torpedo numerous local revitalisation opportunities and lock out higher level investment,” said Ms Cunich.
“The introduction of the expansive Residential Growth Zones around Elsternwick, Carnegie and Bentleigh Station shopping strips is welcomed and will help these important activity centres reach their full potential.
“The introduction of the General Growth Zone on key tram routes along Hawthorn Road, Glen Huntly Road and parts of Dandenong Road is also supported by industry, but only if appropriate density is permitted.
“Unfortunately, local traders will be hurt by the decision to restrict the burgeoning shopping strips of Ormond, Moorabbin, Murrumbeena, Oakleigh and Glen Huntley Stations to a General Residential Zone.
“Likewise, blocking future redevelopment around Patterson Station by encasing it in a Neighbourhood Residential Zone will ensure it remains a community eyesore.
“Well served transport corridors are ideally suited for medium density development and will be vital to Melbourne sensibly managing its long term population growth. The failure to place all key intersections along Nepean Highway and Dandenong Road within a Residential Growth Zone is therefore a mistake.
“The inability to freely subdivide in Bentleigh and Ormond where large blocks are present will also undermine the retirement plans of empty nesters and further limit housing affordability.
“The Property Council is very concerned about the overuse of the restrictive General Residential and Neighbourhood Residential Zones within key areas of the municipality. Unless these zoning decisions are revisited in the medium term, many aspiring homeowners, local businesses and downsizing retirees will be worse off.
“The City of Glen Eira should be commended for implementing the new zones quickly. However, we urge the Council not to underestimate the future implications of its application of restrictive zones.”
-ENDS-
Jennifer Cunich, Executive Director – 0411 118 099