Pearcedale says ‘no’ to unit plans

By Alison Noonan
DEVELOPERS are not wanted in Pearcedale, according to Casey councillor Colin Butler.
The call comes after councillors at last week’s council meeting voted to reject an application for a multiunit development in Charles Drive.
Cr Butler said the decision reflected the views of residents that major development was not welcome in the rural town.
He said it sent a clear message to developers to stay out of Pearcedale.
“The community does not want unit developments.
“This decision should send a clear message to developers not to come in, we don’t want you there,” he said.
Cr Butler said the application to build a threebedroom dwelling behind an existing house was in violation of council’s proposed Neighbourhood Character Policy and unsuitable for the “country” area.
“It wasn’t in keeping with the rest of the area. It threatened neighbouring trees and did not reflect any previous subdivisions that had occurred in Pearcedale,” he said.
Charles Drive resident Tammy Nichols said her attempts to stop a similar development in the street last year were unsuccessful.
She said units were beginning to pop up all over the town, with another proposed further down Charles Drive.
“The one council just rejected will be the third application in Charles Drive. If it was to go ahead it would be a real shame.
“These developments invade your privacy. I used to look out of my window to a beautiful big oak tree.
“Now I look into someone’s window,” she said.
Pearce Court resident Faye Murphy, who is currently embroiled in a battle to prevent a multiunit development in her street, said she was pleased with council’s decision to reject the application.
However, she said the battle was far from won.
“It will now go to VCAT (the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) because the developers know they can get away with it there,” she said.