Kingston Council has called for the urgent intervention of Victorian Minister for Planning, Lizzie Blandthorn, to refuse a planning application for a 10-storey building at Endeavour Cove in Patterson Lakes.
Mayor Steve Staikos said there were significant inconsistencies between the development application and Council’s intended Planning Scheme Amendment for the Endeavour Cove precinct.
He said the application for the multi-level building includes a reduction in the number of parking spaces required for the proposed development at 64 Pier One Drive that is listed for consideration at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing in September.
“We lodged amendment requests for both the interim and permanent Planning Scheme Amendment Controls with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in February this year, following public consultation,” Mayor Staikos said.
“Since that time, our officers have continued to provide all the information the Department has requested, but unfortunately we are yet to receive approval for either the interim controls or the ability to exhibit the permanent controls.
“Without the interim controls in place, this leaves the prospect of a potentially expensive, time consuming and frustrating VCAT hearing, which is clearly not in the best interests of the community.”
The Mayor said it was “extremely important” that the Minister now exercised her powers to approve the interim controls to establish clarity and certainty moving forward for all involved.
The proposed Planning Scheme Amendment addresses sensitive issues such as parking, height controls and overall development outcomes.
“We have responded following our own internal review of the planning matters at Endeavour Cove, which preceded a review by the Victorian Ombudsman, and it is now urgent that the Victorian Planning Minister act by introducing the interim controls to ensure the integrity of the planning system is maintained,” the Mayor said.
Further information and updates, including progress on the interim and permanent planning controls, will be shared following further consideration by the Minister.
