Residents object to tall Emerald story

By Tania Martin
EMERALD residents are mounting a “say no” campaign to a proposed threestorey development in the heart of town and have questioned the thinking behind some of the proposed uses.
The proposal for 386 BelgraveGembrook Road is for a multilevel complex that would house offices, a medical centre, licensed food and drink premises and serviced apartments.
The secretary of the Emerald Village Committee, Frank McGuire, said several residents had questioned the plan to build a medical centre in town because of the shortage of doctors.
He said residents were concerned that if a new medical centre was built there would be no doctors to run it.
Mr McGuire said the committee had written to Cardinia Shire Council outlining its concerns over the development and was urging other residents to write individual submissions.
Resident David Greenaway said it was now time for residents to stand strong against the proposed development and submit their concerns to the council.
Addressing residents’ concerns about overdevelopment, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said planning regulations under the Cardinia Planning Scheme already provided protection from inappropriate development and overdevelopment.
Ms Lobato said proposals out of character with the local neighbourhood should not be approved under planning guidelines.
She encouraged concerned residents to examine the application closely and put their concerns in writing to the council, based on established planning criteria.
Ms Lobato said planning applications were required to protect biodiversity, ensure adequate open space, conserve areas of heritage and encourage energyefficient land use.
“The framework also requires that new development should be in keeping with existing streetscapes, not overshadow other properties, and reflect the particular characteristics and cultural identity of community,” she said.
“These are matters that Cardinia Shire Council will need to take into account when it considers the application. Proposals that do not meet these requirements should rightly be refused by council, as stipulated under these current planning regulations.”