Residents raise development concerns

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Dominie Dale and her fellow Old Sydney Road residents are concerned about the rapidly growing Springridge Estate in Wallan.

By Jackson Russell

Residents of Old Sydney Road in Wallan have raised their concerns regarding the rapidly-growing development at the neighbouring Springridge Estate.

Increased density, bushfire overlays and traffic concerns are at the forefront with 21 properties to be built facing Old Sydney Road along with more further in the estate.

One of the major concerns of residents is how much the density of the development has increased since it was first approved in January 2005.

The development plan has been amended three times since then, most recently in July 2017.

Old Sydney Road resident Dominie Dale said Old Sydney Road was not suitable for such a large development.

“It’s a very fragile road, it’s steep and winding, it has deep drops and there are areas of flora that are on either end,” she said.

“The openings into the Northern Highway and Darraweit Road are very dangerous.”

A psychologist by profession, Ms Dale said she could see the community in the development becoming isolated by not being able to walk to crucial services.

“This will be a community that will be isolated without anywhere to walk to. This is a social nightmare,” she said.

Wallan Environment Group president Claudia James said there were also environmental concerns with vegetation protection overlays and three catchment areas nearby.

“The entrance into Old Sydney Road is the worst thing you can do for the biological habitat because it’s going to be mowed with garden beds and weeds will come into the road,” she said.

Ms James said residents met with Mitchell Shire Council officers last week and had a productive discussion about their concerns.

A Mitchell Shire Council spokesperson said council had received an application from the developer of the Springridge Estate to make amendments to the existing development plan.

“Council is working through the issues raised with residents in the area, submitters and the developer of Springridge Estate,” he said.