A proposed planning permit application for a 16-block subdivision on land in Maldon that is bordered by Lowther, Polsue and Reef Streets is once again in the spotlight. The applicants have submitted an amended permit application to the Mount Alexander Shire Department that includes some minor changes.

A group of Maldon residents who have objected to the application were due to meet with Council officers this week. The [Tarrangower] Times met with two of the objectors last week, who said that their primary objection to the application is the fact that the block is subject to periodic flooding.

In the past 25 years, there have been five significant flood events in the area: in 2000, 2010, 2010, 2016 and 2022. Long-term Maldon residents all have firsthand knowledge of the extent to which the block (sometimes referred to by locals as the ‘horse paddock’) has been affected during these rain events.

What is essentially a dry creek bed that runs from west to east through the entire block begins to flow. A drain coming in from the south also diverts water into that creek. As the large outlet running under Reef Street can no longer cope with the volume of water moving through the block, the creek then becomes a raging torrent.

According to the proposed plans for the development, there is reserved land on the block in the area down near the dry creek bed where owners would not be permitted to build. “But our concern is that, if history repeats itself and there are more flood events, houses will still go underwater,” one objector told the [Tarrangower] Times.

The objectors are aware that the developers will undertake works to mitigate the possibility of future flooding, but they are not sure whether those works would be sufficient. “And who’s responsible if the development is built and it still floods?” one objector asked. “Is it Council? Coliban? The developers? The North Central Catchment Management Authority? And who pays? If it’s Council, then it would be the ratepayers who would foot the bill.”

Objectors also have concerns regarding the proposal that seven of the 16 blocks will be exiting the development via an access road that feeds into Lowther Street. With a bend in Lowther Street near this point, it would be difficult and downright dangerous for cars attempting to turn right. Other concerns include the unacceptably small size of two of the blocks and the request to remove some native vegetation.

When the [Tarrangower] Times took a walk around the block last Friday, it happened to be the day after Maldon received 25mm of rain – not a significant amount of rainfall, but it was still enough to get the dry creek bed flowing. The walk along Lowther Street, on the north side of the property, was unpleasant. There is no footpath, and walking on a narrow shoulder of gravel with trucks hurtling past exceeding the speed limit of 60kmh is no fun.

Local Councillor Stephen Gardner has already met with the objectors to discuss the issue. Before Council is given the opportunity to consider the application, the objectors intend to invite all the Councillors to Maldon for an onsite inspection.

Residents had until 5 June to lodge their objections. There has, however, been a glitch owing to the fact that Council has been switching data bases, with the old Green Light system being switched off and the new My Mount Alexander system being phased in. Those wanting information regarding this particular application – and that includes the [Tarrangower] Times – have not been successful.

This article appeared in the  Tarrangower Times, 7 June 2024.