Romsey’s vision was endorsed at the May Macedon Ranges Shire Council meeting with three councillors opposed to the Romsey Structure Plan.
With only five councillors in favour of the motion, councillors Jennifer Anderson, Geoff Neil, and Mark Ridgeway opposed the plan that will guide the development of Romsey until 2050, setting a long-term settlement boundary and other objectives.
A draft was presented for community consultation in August last year, which saw 94 written submissions and 213 survey responses, resulting in several changes implemented in the final plan.
Changes were made to the settlement boundary following Greater Western Water’s desire to maintain a 1000 metre buffer zone between the Romsey Treatment Plant and residential development.
Councillor Rob Guthrie moved an alternative motion that provided an appropriate interface with rural land, and requested the Minister for Planning undertake community consultation.
He added that while he had concerns over State Government intervention, council needed to ‘start the process’ to protect Romsey in the planning process.
“We’ve had situations already in Riddells Creek where we refused a precinct structure plan and it’s gone straight to the [planning] minister and in the future, our involvement in that will only be the same as any member of the public,” Mr Guthrie said.
“Council can make a submission, but we no longer have control of that process.
“I’m very concerned that the same thing could happen to Romsey, and it could do a lot of damage because there have been a lot of developers certainly in Romsey … so what we need to do is start a process, and this is what this is.”
Councillor Geoff Neil sought to defer the plan at the meeting, claiming the community had not had enough time to read it.
“We need to pause and listen, not just adopt the document, because it’s been placed in front of us,” he said.
“Our community needs to have a voice, an input. As I said at the beginning, like me, like you, we only got it [the document] on Friday. There’s a lot in there, we need to understand it before we firm up on a position.”
Mayor Annette Death then advised Mr Neil that his proposal to defer changed the intent of the motion, and as a result, his request was denied.
Councillor Mark Ridgeway was torn on the motion, potentially agreeing, but shared Mr Neil’s concerns over timing.
“I essentially agree with Councillor Guthrie’s motion, and I certainly share his concerns … and the importance of getting the protected township boundary in place sooner rather than later,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re just quite there yet, even though I essentially agree with the motion that’s being put up. I have a lot of discomfort about saying yes to it right now simply because of the timing.”
Mayor Death concluded the debate, stating council would still have the final say on the end result.
“There is still the planning scheme amendment that has to take place post the settlement boundary occurring. That is a really important part of that process because that’s when we can review the document, look at zoning, and it comes back to this chamber for a decision,” she said.
“Ultimately, council still have the final say on what the end result looks like.
“I think it’s really important to be clear what council’s role is, what the community’s role is, and how we can still work together into the future. This is not the end. In many senses this is just the beginning, because there’s still a great deal of work that needs to take place.”
The alternative motion was put to the vote and carried with Councillors Annette Death, Janet Pearce, Dominic Bonanno, Rob Guthrie, and Christine Walker voting in favour, and councillors Jennifer Anderson, Geoff Neil, and Mark Ridgeway voting against.
Councillor Bill West had left the chamber, having declared a conflict of interest.
While the community had been consulted on the plan several times, community group Better Futures Romsey member Hal Pritchard expressed disappointment in council refusing to listen to the community they are elected to represent.
“All councillors expressed grave concerns when it was released for community consultation, but said they needed to hear what the community thought,” he said.
“Well, they heard what the community thought but didn’t listen.
“The main reason for voting it through was because they were concerned the State Government would get involved if they didn’t. They don’t represent the State Government and by not fighting for the community, the State Government got what it wanted.”
Following the adoption of the draft, council will ask the planning minister to create a protected settlement boundary for Romsey as part of a new structure plan for the town.