PRESSURE is on the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, as her decision over Clarkefield continues to take time.
The minister was supposed to make the decision in August which initially got pushed back for September and remains unanswered in the middle of October.
It is a fascinating decision ahead though as the local Labor member for Macedon Annette Death has gone on the record saying Clarkefield isn’t a suitable place for the development.
“I raised the community’s concerns about the Clarkefield development directly with the Minister for Planning, emphasising the need for development to be accompanied by the services, infrastructure and amenities required to support a growing population. This proposal doesn’t meet the current needs of our communities.” Ms Death said.
“The priority strategic planning issues are the Romsey and Gisborne Structure Plans. These plans provide an opportunity to accommodate future housing demand while ensuring development is aligned with the long-term needs of the local community.”
The privately proposed plans would make the development cost sit at close to $700 million taking the population of Clarkefield from roughly 300 to 6,000.
Opposition candidate for the Macedon seat Kate Kendall is promising to give more power to council, pledging that if the Liberals are elected, they will promise to hand Clarkefield and the decision making back to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
The Review contacted Ms Kilkenny, who declined to comment instead providing us with this, from a government spokesperson.
“Any proposal will be considered on its merits – as this project is currently under assessment it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
