For those of us presenting at VCAT lately it has been more difficult to work through the legislative quagmire while we are in transition to the new zones and associated implications. This week VCAT Members hearing a Darebin case were clearing trying to decide how seriously they should consider Amendment C137 as it relates to a site on Plenty Road. At the meeting of March 16, Council carried a motion to defer a decision on adopting Amendment C137 until they received a report on the state planning panel recommendations. This is a good sign, Councillors at last are questioning advice from the ‘experts’ to more critically evaluate how it will effect those of us who live in Darebin, particularly adjacent to critical growth areas. The more we talk to our Councillors about how we think planning will effect us as Darebin grows and the more they listen, the better.
Cheers, Maria