State government thwarts developer’s housing plans

The state government’s proposed planning changes for Newhaven have been criticised because they affect plans for a housing subdivision.

Geoff Moed, known to many locals as the former owner of A Maze‘N Things, said he bought 30 acres of land several years ago because he believed it was earmarked by the shire for future housing development and was within Newhaven’s town boundaries.

The 30 acres is currently zoned farming and runs from the chocolate factory to the water’s edge overlooking Churchill Island.

According to the 2010 San Remo, Newhaven and Cape Woolamai structure plan, the land – which is low lying and environmentally sensitive – is “future residential subject to a detailed structure plan and coastal vulnerability hazard assessment”, with the town boundary finishing at Samuel Amess Drive.

But Geoff said a curveball to his plans came last month when the state government released the draft Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP), out for community feedback until April 29.

The draft locks in Newhaven’s town boundary at Boys Home Road – a long way from Geoff’s land.

The draft SPP also includes a series of beefed-up landscape planning controls to protect significant landscapes around the island, including areas north of Cowes-Rhyll Road to Newhaven, taking in Geoff’s land.

Subdivision

Geoff said he was partnering with neighbouring landholder Howard Verway to develop a combined 59-acre parcel of land into a housing estate.

He said they had already paid for environmental and traffic reports.

“Council documents state it is “future residential” land, which is the reason why I bought the property,” Geoff said. “If not for the SPP we’d have had the application in more than 12 months ago.
“We have spent tens of thousands of dollars already. We were waiting for the SPP but did not expect the town boundaries to be shifted.”

Geoff said they had not finalised the design layout and could not say how many home lots there would be, explaining that would be negotiated with the shire, possibly a combination of one to two acre lots, through to a mix of social housing of 300m2.

“We want to put a development there that is appropriate for Phillip Island. Making money is not the main aim. Certainly it will be profitable but we want to build a housing estate, which the island needs.

“The size of the blocks will be determined by council in accordance with the needs to meet the local strategic framework.”

The 2010 San Remo, Newhaven and Cape Woolamai structure plan states this land behind the chocolate factory is “future residential subject to a detailed structure plan and coastal vulnerability hazard assessment. Lot size to be determined by this process”.

Environment

Geoff said he understood the land proposed for the subdivision was environmentally sensitive. For that reason, both he and Howard would donate half of it to the Crown as wetlands, especially the low-lying areas that were at the high tide mark and of “limited value”.

He said they would also add water retention basins, cycle and walking paths and coastal viewing areas. The subdivision would be inspired by The Cape, at Cape Patterson, with eight-star efficient standards.

“We want it to produce more power than it consumes. Everything would have strong environmental respect. We both want to produce a development that is the best on Phillip Island and in keeping with the ecological and environmental credentials that the island should have, but doesn't at present.”

Popular?

The draft SPP promotes housing development away from Phillip Island and instead focuses growth in Wonthaggi and Cape Patterson.

Geoff said he understood new housing estates on the island were not popular.

“I understand people who live on Phillip Island mostly don't want new housing estates, but there is still a requirement that council has 15 years supply of land available.”

He said new homes were critical to plug staffing shortfalls in businesses and to address the housing shortage.

“If you went to every business along Phillip Island Road, nine out of 10 are short staffed. I don’t want the island’s town boundaries continually extended, but the fact is documents show a boundary at Samuel Amess Drive.”

Geoff said he wanted local decisions to be made by local planners, not Spring Street.

“I don’t want the government telling us how to do things. I feel shafted.”

The land backs on to the Churchill Island Marine National Park and an ecological study included in the draft SPP states Newhaven could be home to threatened species such as the orange-bellied parrot, growling grass frog, and swamp antechinus, which need protection.

The draft SPP said acid sulfate soils were prevalent in wetlands around Newhaven. These soils are harmless if not disturbed but urbanisation can disturb them and trigger the release of toxic elements.