All recent comments on applications from City of Greater Bendigo, VIC

Hi can someone tell me if there is a plan for a telecommunication tower or sub division on the ajoining land to the catholic church in raglin st east a axedale
As there has been some pegging out done on this land.
I have also heard a rumour that there is a tower planned for this land. ?
Regards grant evans 17 Bluestone Rise axedale

I can see where this proposal ticks all the boxes:

* The Council / Gov't gets a good cut with new taxes and charges.
* The pub, as is now obvious to all, has lost its appeal based on the quality of the meals, and now needs new income streams to cover up it's current failing format and overinvestment. Did I hear motel rooms are on the agenda? Do we really want another (future) All Seasons style facility in Huntly?
* And the land developers (Lincoln Place) get a boost in selling houses in their 'over 55's' development
... all to be paid for by a relatively small group of repetitive losers from the local community. These will be families with kids and retirees, already under cost of living stress, and the most least able to afford any additional financial pressure.

In an era plagued the unseen curse of domestic violence, any move to introduce pokies in Huntly will lose my vote in forthcoming elections.

Progress is one thing. Bleeding the plebs dry is something else.

with the growth of the area It will be great for the community to have a facility like this.

I think it would be amazing to have out here. With the population growing out this way with the new homes being built up etc it is something we need out here definitely.

I believe that bringing pokie machines out to this community at a time when there is great financial stress, would only benefit the hotel owner. The statistics show what a problem gambling is in the greater Bendigo region. We do not need another pokie venue. Please do not let this proceed.

There are already many trees and vegetation coming down in this street. It is unclear which property in Wellesley Street this application is referring to but many of us in this area are planting to reach a canopy level - advocated by local government - that is sustainable for all of us, and sufficient vegetation to sustain local wildlife. I ask that the Whitehorse Council reject this application.

We, Jess & Simon Roberts strongly object to the proposed subdivision and subsequent development of 21-25 Shelley Street. The proposed removal of vegetation would decimate the habitat of existing fauna. The current bush blocks are preserved and lived on to honour the environment and removal of such would pose disruption to our current peaceful neighbourhood. As a neighbouring property south of the site, the removal of vegetation and increase in works would pose a significant flooding risk of which is already a factor those on Milton Avenue.
Shelley Street/Milton Avenue thoroughfare would not be able to accomodate the increase in traffic due to the bush walking tracks and lack of footpaths and the high volume of children who walk to/from school.

Any development and subdivision of this property would negatively impact those who have lived in the area and have cultivated and nurtured the existing flora and fauna for years.

I would like to strongly object to the proposed changes in Shelley Street. As an expecting mother this will be highly disruptive to my family & my new born child. My husband and I purposely bought in Spring Gully for the nature and amicable surrounds.

Bendigo Council seem to be very happy to cram a lot of abodes into small places, without suitable infrastructure to meet the growing demand of the population. I feel this is all about revenue raising rather than taking into consideration the needs of existing residents.

As a proud Aboriginal women, nature, animals and peace and quiet are very important to me.

We have lived at 50 Milton Avenue for 23 years and enjoyed the peaceful, natural environment especially enhanced by the gully and steep rises, the native vegetation on the proposed development area home to an amazing range of bird life.
The thought of heavy earth moving machinery and road construction into this precious area is frightening. The removal of native flora and fauna to build houses or multi level apartments in this bush haven will destroy the ambiance of a large number of existing homes in Shelley Street and Milton Avenue.
Any development of this block will have a huge impact on people living in the lower sections of Milton Avenue.
While we wish the current owners of the property well for their future, we are fearful of the legacy they may leave behind.
We are very much opposed to the proposal for the 21 to 25 Shelley Street development.

We, Nicole Bullen and Stuart Wallbank of 40 Milton Ave, Spring Gully strongly object to proposed subdivision of 21 – 25 Shelley Street, Spring Gully.
The narrow, tree lined streets of Shelley Street and surrounding streets were never designed to cope with an increase in traffic which will be generated by this subdivision, both vehicle and pedestrian. There are no footpaths on Shelley Street or surrounding streets, which adds to the appeal of the neighbourhood.
Remnant native vegetation that currently exists on private properties between Shelley Street and Milton Avenue is home to native fauna and flora that has been cultivated, nurtured, and maintained by residents whose properties surround the green wedge for decades. Importantly, this vegetation connects to the vegetated gully / ephemeral creek that runs between Milton Avenue and Autumn Gully Road, through to the Greater Bendigo National Park/Bendigo Regional Park. The area is known to support echidnas and kangaroos along with a plethora of native birds, frogs, and reptiles. A subdivision of the land would require the destruction of the established vegetation which can never be replaced. The very reason families purchase properties in this tightly held area is to enjoy the bird life, reptiles, echidnas, frogs, and local fauna, and this will be destroyed if the proposed subdivision is approved.
The Spring gully area is very rocky, with shallow topsoils held together and replenished by native vegetation. Removal of this vegetation exposes soils, removing the protective network of root systems, making them prone to erosion, and limiting the ability for rainfall to penetrate soils and drain slowly. The proposed development will see an increase in impermeable surfaces such as rooves and driveways which will have a significant impact on the area being able hold and slowly drain rainwater and will increase the potential for water ingress and erosion on the properties located downslope on Milton Ave.

We strongly object to the proposed changes. Anyone who values the environment and the special places that contribute to making Bendigo an amazing place to live cannot possibly allow this to happen. Bendigo will soon become just another drab suburban sprawl if applications such as these are passed through. The native bird population will be decimated and the city will lose it's strong appeal to tree changers.

We strongly object to the proposed changes. Anyone who values the environment and the special places that contribute to making Bendigo an amazing place to live cannot possibly allow this to happen. Bendigo will soon become just another drab suburban sprawl if applications such as these are passed through. The native bird population will be decimated and the city will lose it's strong appeal to tree changers.

We would like to register our objection to the proposed subdivision and removal of vegetation. Milton Avenue is a rare and unique environment which is cherished by all who are lucky enough to live here.

Over the last six years we have restored our garden and planted native trees and shrubs which has increased the native birdlife. We have carefully protected the woodland on our property and now have a beautiful and sustainable environment in keeping with the local bush. We have worked with the environment and the challenges of leaf litter, rocks and poor soil and we're very pleased with the results of our efforts.

The area is loved by the many walkers who come this way to access the reserve and the Goldfields Track. It is one of Bendigo's most special places.

The proposed removal of vegetation would eliminate a valuable living environment for native flora and fauna as well as significantly impact the tranquil atmosphere so highly valued by residents and visitors. There are also drainage considerations given the geology of the landscape.

We strongly object to the proposed changes. Anyone who values the environment and the special places that contribute to making Bendigo an amazing place to live cannot possibly allow this to happen. Bendigo will soon become just another drab suburban sprawl if applications such as these are passed through. The native bird population will be decimated and the city will lose it's strong appeal to tree changers.

It's areas such as Milton Avenue, where housing and bushland are sensitively preserved, that make Bendigo special. Please let's keep it that way!!

We, Meagan and Leif Eriksen, owners of 17 Shelley Street Spring Gully, would like to bring to the attention there are two known mines shafts in the vicinity of the proposed planning application which means there are possibly other mines in the area proposed to be built on at 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully. As there are many unknown mine locations in Spring Gully, it would be unsafe and a breach of the Bendigo Councils Duty Of Care to allow perspective buyers to purchase land and build new dwellings on a area with the possibility of old and unstable mine shafts that could collapse.

Building on either of the proposed area will require a large removal of native vegetation and the disruption of current stable ironstone surface. This inturn will create erosion that could disrupt the stabilisation of 'existing known' mines shafts and 'existing unknown' mine shafts and tunnels. This erosion and disruption of mine shafts and/or tunnels could have dangerous, irreversible and irreplaceable damage to current neighbouring properties, current native landscape and the natural run off storm water.

The land behind the existing dwelling at 12-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully was previously a dam, and is now a green area of land due to the amount of storm water that naturally runs down hill from Shelley Street. Storm water runs from both the top and sides of neighbouring properties to 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully into what was previously a dam. It is a natural storm water run off created over thousands of years that should not be altered.

Building on a filled in dam is not only unsafe and unstable for any future dwelling, but will alter the current storm water run of by redirecting it to neighbouring properties on Milton Avenue possibility causing their properties flood and/or cause structural damage to their sheds, garages, houses, gardens and driveways.

The desire for more housing in a suburb should not be the deciding factor when considering subdivision on unsuitable land. A topographic view of the proposed area to be developed as three housing lots, will show the removal of existing native bushland will
definitely be out of character to the current environment. There are NO other houses build in the backs of current neighbouring properties for good reason. The ironstone, sloping land is unsuitable to build dwellings. A builder recently viewed the land from our property and expressed it was not suitable land to build dwellings on.

The current neighbouring properties to 21-25 Shelley Street DO NOT have battleaxe driveways with several new houses built on what is native bushland. The majority of these properties have retained the native bushland and farm fencing, with the occasional property having a shed or out buildings.

When taking into consideration the effect of subdivisions at 21-25 Shelley Street, it is important to consider how this will negatively impact the whole of Shelley Street and Milton Avenue. Destroying an existing, old, established, natural environment where subdivision has previously not existed.

It is important to consider how subdivision will effect not only the front of the existing street, but to consider the negative impact it will have behind the existing properties on both on Shelley Street, and Milton Avenue.

Don't these owners have a right to object to the destruction and irreversible damage to the land beside and behind them, regardless of whether they are adjoining 21-25 Shelley Street?
Change is not always for the better. Development for the sake of housing and profit is not always for the better.

Council must look at how two extra driveways will add to an already dangerous traffic spot in front of 21-25 Shelley Street. How adding more vehicles to Shelley street due to subdivision will only exacerbate the dangers on the hill and corner of Shelley Street, possibility causing serious injury or even death. I believe Vic Roads and TAC would not approve to more driveways on this dangerous part of Shelley Street where pedestrians are walking on the road due to there not being any footpaths. This hill is a danger to oncoming vehicles from both directions.

Shelley Street and Milton Avenue are both very quiet trees lined with families living in mostly existing homes built from 1960 (not 1970's as stated in the statement in the proposed planning application). These families living on existing properties on Shelley Street and Milton Avenue not only have the right but should have the assurance the investment they have purchased will not be devalued, harmed, put at risk or loose its current outlook, the surrounding natural bushland, the native environment, their privacy, shade, wind barriers, safety, erosion stability, storm water barriers.... due to subdivision and the removal of not only current native vegetation but native ironstone foundations of which all of Shelley Street and Milton Avenue are sitting on.

We will not ever agree to subdivision of the land at 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully and are prepared to engage a solicitor and take this matter to VCAT should Bendigo Council approve this Planning Application.

We, Leif and Meagan Eriksen, owners of the property at 17 Shelley Street Spring Gully further object to any subdivision and removal of vegetation at 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully....because the current owners are planning on selling the property and moving to Anglesea on the west coast, so they won't be around or liable for any repercussions caused by the subdivision or removal of native vegetation. They will be gone and the neighbouring properties will be left to deal with any fall out caused by this planning application.

The owners of properties on Shelley Street and Miton Avenue have purposely bought properties surrounded by and with bush blocks. The adjoining properties on Shelley Street and Milton Avenue are some of the most expensive and sought after in Bendigo due to the unique native corridor running in between the properties

This native setting creates shade, wind protection, privacy, an eco system and a peaceful environment in which to live. It's extremely unfair to expect the owners of the many properties on Shelley Street and Milton Avenue to be forced to have this tranquil and unique setting destroyed and replaced by subdivision and houses.

It's unfair to expect these properties that currently have privacy , to be overlooked by new houses. It is also unfair the current owners who have enjoyed the bushland and privacy during their entire ownership of the property, now want to destroy this unique environment by introducing subdivision. A decision based solely on profit, and not on what is best for the environment, for the neighbouring properties or the current native flora and fauna.

To erect a shed is one thing but to build 3 houses is a completely different scale that will cause irreversible destruction to this very old, original nature bush setting.

The bush blocks on the top blocks of Shelley Street help stabilise erosion for the bush blocks and properties on Milton Avenue. Any or all of the removal of vegetation or digging out and removal of surface rock at 21-25 Shelley Street can have a negative impact downhill, flooding and erosion.

An example of this can be found on council record when the property at 16 Shelley Street Spring Gully removed the native trees, vegetation and rocks from their property. After flattened the natural slope , the land was exposed to erosion and the rain water ran straight of the flattened land into the neighbouring properties causing flooding and damage. Water naturally runs down hill, and when you remove the trees, plants and rocks that stabilise the land, that creatie natural barriers to the water run off...you create flooding down hill.

The only sewerage line is on the down side of Shelley Street, meaning these planned subdivision will be having to pump all their swerage waste up hill, and if there is any sewerage leak it will run downhill into existing native bushland, owned by properties on Milton Avenue.

The water run of from this bushland crosses Milton Avenue into the native bushland and seasonal creek in between Milton Avenue and Autumn Gully Road. This bushland has water catchment ponds in which native frogs reside.

As our climate is rapidly changing, creating more risk of bush fires, extreme heat, heavy rain fall, erotion, loss of natural habitat, flooding and poor air quality, there has never been a greater need by councils to take precautions when approving subdivision planning.

The flooding in 2022 in Bendigo was a perfect example that highlighted subdivision that should never have been approved. I have videos of subdivisions in Strathfieldsaye completely underwater, and properties in the Imagine Estate sandbagging to prevent flooding from the seasonal creeks as they burst their banks and joining together to make one extremely powerful force of destruction.

We hope the Bendigo Council will not just look at this subdivision as a way to build more houses, but to look at the long term effects it will have on the environment, the current native bushland. The native animals and to the neighbouring properties that call this unique setting home.

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We, Leif and Meagan Eriksen, are the property owners of 17 Shelley Street for the past 12 years, and we want to register our opposition to any subdivision of the land at 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully and the removal of any native vegetation to subdivided the bush land.

Our property at 17 Shelley Street Spring Gully is positioned next to the proposed site at 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully. Our property is situated on the top of the hill and runs alongside the bush land behind 19 Shelley Street and overlooks 21-25 Shelley Street.

The bushland behind 19 Shelley Street belongs to the owners of 21-25 Shelley Street, Spring Gully.
The owners previously sold 19 Shelley Street, and we are aware prior to selling the property, they had an easement removed allowing them to retain the large bush area behind 19 Shelley Street. We are also aware they did this with the intention of subdividing this land.

There is a large, established native bush land that runs behind the majority of houses on the topside of Shelley Street and meets with the bush land behind the houses along Milton Avenue. This land is largely covered by significant indigenous flora and is home to native wildlife of Bendigo. This native bush has been retained and maintained by its previous owners since the 1960's, creating and preserving a unique, tranquil and important wildlife corridor and home to many species of Bendigo's wildlife. This unique bushland creates privacy and a peaceful environment for current property owners and native animals. There are no roads or subdivisions in this bushland, meaning the wildlife corridor has been maintained allowing residents and native animals to co exist for over 60 years. We do not agree to this harmonious environment being destroyed by subdivision.

This land is home to indigenous trees, plants, bulbs, grasses and shrubs, with many indigenous only to Spring Gully. This bushland provides shelter, food, safety and homes to birds, reptiles, mammals and frogs.

The removal of any of this native vegetation for subdivision of houses puts the welfare of the current natives animals in jepodity, along with creating instability of the lands large natural water run off.
All the water from the top side of Shelley Street runs down hill towards the properties of Milton Avenue, the removal of vegetation and destabilising of the land caused by building houses can and will have negative ramifications on the current properties on Milton Avenue.

All the land along Shelley Street and down the hill beyond Milton Avenue is situated on Dead Dog Reef, a rocky ironstone bushland formed million of years ago. The ironstone sits on the surface of the land and is barely penetrable. Our fencing contractor had great difficulty building a new farm fence due to the sheer amount of hard rock that covers this entire area.
This land relies heavily on the indigenous trees, plants, grasses and shubs to maintain the current soil, leaflitter and rocks from being washed away.
This land depends on the bush to create a natural barrier to erosion.

There are no roads or houses at the back of the properties between Shelley Street and Milton Avenue. These old and tightly held properties have always had bush backyards, many without fencing so neighbouring bush merge together allowing and creating a unique, peaceful, tranquil home for native birds, reptiles and and marsupials. Echidna's and wombats use the bush behind these properties to safely live and move about without harm. Reptiles and bitds use the grass, plant life, and trees as home, shelter and a refuge from the weather.

In addition to the above, we object to subdivision at 21-25 Shelley Street due to lack off and dangerous visibility on the road in front of the said property due to a hill. It is impossible to see vehicles driving on either side of this hill that sits in front of 21-25 Shelley Street.
There are no footpaths on Shelley Street, meaning children, families, the elderly, walkers, push bikes are left to use the road. The postman also has limited visibility due to the hill.

Subdivision will create more vehicles coming and going directly onto this dangerous blind hill and incresse the risk of an accident. We have many young families moving into Shelley Street, with children walking past 21-25 Shelley Street to attend Spring Gully Primary School.

There is also a blind corner on Shelley Street leading down towards Lawson Street, creating yet another dangerous black spot. We need to restrict the movement of vehicles along Shelley Street to current residents only...not add to the problem by allowing further vehicle traffic due to subdivision.

Shelley Street sits at the top of a hill, surrounded by bush, in a High bushfire BEL rating zone. Allowing subdivision at the end of dead end battleaxe driveway
surrounded by bush, on a blind spot exit... would be a failure of the Bendigo Councils Planning Department Duty Of Care to any purchasers of this land. Additionally, this land as mentioned sits on Dead Dog Reef made up entirely of ironstone, meaning it will be nearly impossible to build on, meaning the engineering and/or building cost to the purchaser will be astronomical.

We are not negotiating on our objection to subdivision and removal of vegetation for houses at 21-25 Shelley Street Spring Gully. We are sure the adjoining residents will also be against the subdivision and removal of vegetation if they were to be made aware of the application. We have not been advised by the Bendigo Council about the subdivision application which as a rate payer is very disappointing.

We look forward to hearing from the Planning Department regarding our objective to DS/491/2023 3 lot subdivision and removal of vegetation.

Hello,

I wish to object to this application on the grounds that this area needs a full flood and drainage study done before any more development takes place.
I have been requesting a flood and drainage study since the October 2022 floods but have been repeatedly told council does not have a person in the relevant role to do this investigation.
During the October floods it became apparent that due to the two new subdivisions off Station St (Bluestone Rd and Henbury St) runoff into Station St has increased markedly. While Bluestone Rd has provisions for a sink as part of the paln, the area where one should have been put in Henbury St was sold as a residential lot. This lot was severely impacted by flooding in October. Debris piled flat against fencing directly across the road of the entrance to Henbury St from Station St indicated water running down Henbury St and across Station St. This proposed development at the top of Henbury St will only contribute to runoff. An NBN contractor also reported flooding of about two foot deep at residential properties very near to this proposed subdivision.
My particular interest is because my property is directly across the road from the entrance to Henbury St from Station St and I noticed flood levels higher than they should have been in my back paddock during the October floods.
The flooding in this area in October reached the height it did due to a number of factors, the development along Station St being one of them.
The continual excuse I have been given for a flood and drainage study of this area not being done is that the City of Greater Bendigo has been unable to recruit to the appropriate position. If this is still the case could the job please be outsourced?
Also a question, rather than an objection: this area appears to be classifed low density residential. My understanding is that it is only possible to subdivide in lots of one acre or above. Is this correct? Four lots on two acres doesn't seem to comply with that.

Objection: 38 Myers St Bendigo was built as a residential dwelling and to cater for the ever increasing need for more housing and needs to remain for the purpose for which it was built. The alternative will create a sprawling city with the need to build more and more houses on the edge of the city where utilities, public transport and other services are not available to neighborhoods. It will cost much to provide these services. There are many vacant commercial properties in the CBD that are left with little maintenance giving the city a degraded appearance. These vacant properties were built with the purpose of accommodating business such as a medical center.
Council has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars compiling reports such as the City Centre Plan which has been adopted by Council for the purpose of making the CBD a vibrant business area with car parking projects, public transport and most importantly facilities for pedestrians who walk the streets as potential shoppers. The Bridge St Precinct was adopted specifically as a medical precinct but little development has occurred. Allowing businesses to establish in residential properties just raises the cost of housing, an issue facing many people today, particularly, young people but increasingly older people.
For this application to be debated at council it will be likely necessary for councillors to put in objections as council has a policy of 6 objectors are needed for applications to come to a council meeting. This application and many others will destroy the life of the CBD and further increase the demand for housing. Council can stop this from happening by changing the Great Bendigo Planning Scheme.

In answer to David Kay's comments- this "walkway" is not a walkway- it is an official water easement designed to manage potential flooding in the area.

The Council have established the drains in the "walkway" in the case of flooding (which in the past has occurred- presenting a danger to children playing in the flood waters).

In the interests of providing convenient safe walking paths Council have recently completed first class pedestrian footpaths along Taylors lane.

Perhaps David Kay needs to look closely at the application which in no way removes access for a "quick route to the school bus".

Access will still be available to walk through the "walkway"!

As a near neighbour of this property, I strongly endorse the Council's approval of the application providing adequate on-site parking is a condition of the permit.

Why remove this nice walkway which also serves as a quick route to the local school bus on Tannery Lane? It's too narrow for a road, who would come up with such a ludicrous application?

This application is an amendment to what has already been approved on the site. This application is seeking to extend the operating hours of the service station (7/11) to 24/7. Council will be looking for community comments in relation to whether the expansion of yours is appropriate for Strathfieldsaye.

The original approval of the medical centre and service station was approved at VCAT after council recommended it be refused.

I am deeply impacted by this subdivision
How is the land going to be subdivided?
Is it going to be houses or units?
One story or two? Two story units will be too much in this area
Where are the driveways going?
Is there going to be cars parked on the street so it makes it hard for me to get access to my driveway and what about fire truck access?
The street isn't wide enough, something needs to be done
People up the other end of the street in the new development fly up and down and I have almost been hit just accessing my driveway since the last subdivision!!
Also the trades people while the houses are getting constructed will greatly and directly impact me!
The last subdivision had a huge impact on my mental health and continues to do so with how I was treated from the council and the developers during the process, my fence was ruined and I still don't have a proper Mail box almost 5 years later... And nobody cares... This time I have money to fight and know people...

The demographic of this area is young families, as evidenced by the high demand for services such as day care and primary schools. However there are limited options for these children as they age to be active and social with swimming, splash or skate parks. The proposed development does not meet the needs of the community. How and when have the community been consulted?

I object to the removal of native vegetation, the older trees here are home to so much wildlife that has already been impacted by the rapid growth in the area. A service station right next to a primary school, in a busy congested traffic area, is a poor idea. The land should be used for expansion of the primary school, or for community use such as a skate park or swimming pool.