COMMUNITY members in Lancefield could be relieved of a planning overlay which is forcing them to pay massive amounts of money to update their property with simple additions like a water tank or a shed.
The Development Plan Overlay 24 (DPO24) is stopping community members affected from “perusing any sort of lifestyle ambitions” according to local Joel Fitzgerald.
“For 10 years people have been prisoners of their own land and they can’t actually sell their land because no one in their right mind is going to buy into a situation where you can’t live a rural lifestyle or you couldn’t develop” he said.
The overlay covers 27 land holders across over 150 acres and is forcing families to fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a development plan, which could then be stuck with council for multiple years.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council (MRSC) reportedly sent three separate requests across three years to remove the overlay, yet three years on, and after 10 years since the overlay was first advocated for to be removed, it continues to stand.
The Review spoke to councillor and now state election candidate Kate Kendall, who promises to scrap the overlay within her first 100 days if elected in November.
“Our plan to remove DPO24 will deliver landholders more freedom and choice over how they use their land. Right now, if a resident in this zone wants to put a shed or a granny flat on their property, they’d need permission from all the other landowners and an expensive Development Plan,” Ms Kendall said.
“This change means DPO24 landholders will be treated the same as residents on the other side of the street. The local community have advocated for this change, and we’re committed to delivering it.”
Opposition candidate Annette Death reportedly will also scrap the overlay as well, yet Ms Kendall believes that the current government can do it before the election, instead of after, making it a battle of politics when it doesn’t need to be.
“Right now, the Minister for Planning can action DPO24’s removal today. Council has called on the Minister to remove the overlay twice in three years. The community is calling for full removal without caveats.”
Mr Fitzgerald believes whoever can make a genuine action and difference, will be able to win trust at the election.
“Now we’ve got Liberal, Labor and Council all united on that approach, but the question now is who’s going to show leadership?” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“Theres a lot of good discussions, and community have been really happy with this news and some of the leadership that’s come out in the last week, but it is just talk at the moment, so who’s going to be the leader?”
The North Central Review contacted the current State Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas asking about the overlay, but instead received comments from a government spokesperson.
“Victoria is building thousands of more homes than any other state and leading the nation when it comes to first home buyers – but we know there is more to do.” they said.
“We will continue to work with Macedon Ranges Council to unlock more homes where they are needed most.”
The Minister for Planning met with the MRSC last week to discuss their current planning overlays.
A lot will be determined come November about the affected members of Lancefield.
