The City of Stonnington remains deeply concerned that the State Government is not listening to the community in relation to its proposal for the Chadstone Activity Centre.
Stonnington first raised its concerns with the State Government in April and is disappointed that its draft plans have ignored both Council's evidence-based submissions and those of the local community.
Stonnington has worked hard to facilitate housing supply in appropriate locations, acknowledging the critical need for housing. Council's draft Housing Strategy draws on five years of community engagement and its rigorous methodology forms a comprehensive evidence-based approach to meeting the growing demand for housing.
"Our officers walked every street of Stonnington to understand the context, constraints and opportunities facing housing in our city," Stonnington CEO, Dale Dickson PSM, said.
"Our draft housing strategy provides the Government with an evidence-based solution that already facilitates sufficient capacity to meet their own targets – in appropriate locations and with the community's involvement."
Council was only advised of plans for the 800m catchment area the day before the Government made its draft plan public. The 800m catchment will result in unacceptable lifestyle and amenity impacts for hundreds of residents within the expanded activity centre boundary.
The City of Stonnington maintains that the State Government's planned level of development around the Chadstone Shopping Centre:
- fails to clearly separate the design and structure of the proposed activity centre from the surrounding residential areas, which should look and feel different to maximise liveability for residents
- fails to provide a measured approach in line with the local neighbourhood character or consider the diverse mix of needs required by the community
- fails to respond to the heavily car-reliant location and lack of rail services to the centre, noting that bus connections and levels of service are limited
- does not recognise that the Chadstone Activity Centre is markedly different from the other nine Activity Centres in the pilot program and that there is a barrier to movement, with pedestrians either needing to walk through the centre and the car parks, or having to go around
- provides no details on master planning – that is, how the Activity Centre will become a liveable precinct with access to community infrastructure, open space and better transport options, beyond the delivery of housing.
The level of change proposed in this catchment—and the streamlined approach potentially removing the opportunity for any public consultation and appeal—is unprecedented, and the evidence base to support such changes and how they will be managed is lacking.
The City of Stonnington will continue to advocate for its community and work closely with residents, businesses and stakeholders to ensure that future housing is planned for in appropriate locations, is responsive to its context including neighbourhood character, is diverse, affordable and sustainable, facilitates quality open space and is supported by the necessary infrastructure.
Have your say on the State Government proposals for Chadstone at vpa.vic.gov.au/project/chadstone
