‘Mini Pakenham’ plan rejected

SUBDIVISION plans that some residents feared would turn Gembrook into a “mini Pakenham” have been knocked back by Cardinia Shire Council.
The council had been asked to grant a permit for a 28lot residential subdivision in Redwood Road.
But residents lodged more than 70 objections claiming the subdivision would result in a carveup of too many lots.
Councillors at last Monday’s meeting agreed the development would threaten the special character of the hills township.
Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge said there was a strong feeling in the community against the proposal.
Cr Legge’s Ranges Ward colleague Ed Chatwin said public opinion could not be ignored.
Councillors agreed with a town planner’s assessment that the subdivision as proposed was at odds with the town’s rural character.
Cr Legge said there was a general expectation in the community that the land would eventually be subdivided but residents wanted a less intensive development.
Resident Shirley Smith, one of the people at the helm of opposition to the development, said the council’s decision to refuse the application was tremendous news.
Ms Smith said the development would have turned Gembrook into another urban centre similar to Pakenham and that it would have changed the way of life in the town. She said Gembrook would have gone from a small rural town to a suburban centre.
“We’re very pleased the council refused the application and it was good to see so many people wrote in their objections,” she said.