WHITTLESEA locals say a project planned for Black Flat Road is needed but in a more suitable location as concerns mount over traffic, safety, and environmental impact on a narrow urban road.
Around 100 Whittlesea residents gathered recently to voice strong opposition to a proposed three-storey, 51-bed aged care facility planned for 3 Black Flat Road, arguing the development is “not in the right location.”
While the residents group made it clear they support the need for more aged care services in Whittlesea, they say the semi-rural street is unsuitable for a large-scale facility due to traffic, safety, and environmental concerns.
Janine Harvey, who is leading the community opposition, said the proposal, which includes 21 parking spaces, is inadequate to accommodate staff and visitors.
“This development is totally insufficient. We would be faced with a big increase in traffic, and local streets would be overrun with parked cars. It’s not safe or practical in a residential area where older people are walking on uneven ground,” Ms Harvey said.
The proposed site sits next to a new childcare centre under construction at 1 Black Flat Road, which residents say will already add significant traffic pressure to the narrow road. Locals also raised concerns about rural-style fencing and limited pedestrian safety along the stretch.
Stephen Harvey outlined a number of additional issues, including parking overflow, the difficulty of large vehicles navigating Black Flat Road, the impact on neighbourhood character, and the need to protect the area’s biodiversity and bushfire safety buffer near Mount Disappointment.
Residents also dispute claims made by the developer that there are no other aged care options within a 15 kilometre radius.
“The developer clearly hasn’t done its homework,” Ms Harvey said.
“There are already two aged care facilities in Whittlesea, and Council approved another aged care and retirement village on Plenty Road in May this year. That site, opposite Funfields, is far more suitable and located next to the industrial area.”
The resident group is urging others to lodge formal objections with the City of Whittlesea, citing planning reference PLN-44075, 3 Black Flat Road, Whittlesea 3757. Objections can be emailed to buildplan@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
Further information and updates are available via the community Facebook page “3 Black Flat Rd, Whittlesea” or by contacting Janine Harvey at 3blackflatroad@gmail.com.
