Vow to fight unit development

By Alison Noonan
PEARCEDALE residents have lost their appeal to stop a multiunit development in Pearce Court.
Resident Faye Murphy said that while locals were devastated at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s recent decision to approve the construction of two units on a quarter acre block, they would not give up.
Developer John Furlong took his case to VCAT after Casey Council refused his application to build in Pearce Court in May.
However, Ms Murphy said residents were prepared to go all the way in their battle against overdevelopment of the town, even as high as the Supreme Court.
“It looks like we will have to take it all the way. We’ve got too much to lose.
“The whole thing has just been devastating. I’ve been so upset.
“Even the Casey councillors have been saying they can’t believe it’s happened,” she said.
The pensioner said that although she would struggle to afford the enormous legal costs to take their case to the courts, they couldn’t sit back and watch their town become over run with units.
“We were quoted about $7000 to go to the courts,” Ms Murphy said
“We’re only pensioners so we would have to take out a loan, but at least we can say we tried.
“If we lose and these units are built our house values will drop. We need to stop this happening to other people,” she said.
Ms Murphy said she was currently circulating a petition throughout the town in a bid to muster as much community support as possible.
And judging from the signatures already collected, she said she was not alone in her concerns.
“People all over the area are becoming increasingly concerned. Initially it was just a Pearce Court issue but now people are worried about what could happen to them if this development goes through.
“We need everyone in Pearcedale to sign this petition,” she said.
Fellow Pearce Court resident Derek Mosely said he was exploring all options to fight the VCAT decision, including an appeal at the Supreme Court.
“However, a Supreme Court hearing would be long, the preparation quite extensive and there are very few examples of similar cases being overturned.
“We are trying to stop the floodgates opening for every developer to come in and build multiple units.
“This development is the (tip of the) iceberg of a number of similar developments proposed in Pearcedale that will effectively change the character of the town,” he said.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt said that while the VCAT result was disappointing, he would be lobbying Casey Council and the State Government to assist Pearce Court residents in their battle.
“It is vital for a small community like Pearcedale to be able to retain its village character.
“I have approached council and will continue to push it to complete its neighbourhood character policy as soon as possible to assist the residents in any court case.
“I will also be calling on council and the state to provide whatever assistance they can before the court case to reflect the importance of protecting Pearcedale’s identity,” he said.