Opposition has been expressed by nearby residents regarding a proposed planning permit application for a 16-block subdivision in Maldon on land bordered by Lowther, Reef and Polsue Streets.

The [Tarrangower] Times is aware of the fact that an informal group of those opposed to the application were meeting this week to discuss the matter. It is understood that their objections include the small size of some of the blocks and the inappropriateness of the development in relation to the surrounding area. There are also concerns regarding plans for a court servicing the development that will feed traffic directly onto Lowther Street (a designated truck route) at a potentially dangerous bend.

According to the planning permit application, for some blocks there are building exclusion zones in place so that houses would not be built on land that is subject to flooding. Some local residents the [Tarrangower] Times has spoken to have pointed out that, in the 2010 and 2011 floods, the land was inundated.

The arborist’s report, carried out on behalf of the applicant, points out that there is an ‘ephemeral waterway’ running through the block. The native vegetation assessment uses different terminology while referring to the fact that the block might be subject to periodic flooding; it refers to ‘creek line grassy woodland’.

This article appeared in the  Tarrangower Times, 20 October 2023.