UP TO 75 new homes are planned on the edge of the Kilmore Racing Club facility, but a local resident has raised fears of medium- and high-density living.
For more than six years, the Kilmore Racing Club has been unsuccessfully trying to have the 2.2-hectare site’s “erroneous” rezoning changed to residential instead of public use as at present. But all along Mitchell Shire had put cold water on its hopes.
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced last week that the Kilmore Racing Club site at 11-35 East Street has been identified by the Victorian Government as one of the seven sites across the state that will be assessed through the Unlocking Strategic Sites program.
The government says the seven sites are underutilised or vacant land and could deliver about 9155 homes and 8900 jobs.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) estimates rezoning of the Kilmore site could provide up to 75 new homes.
Asked for details on the project whether the site could have stand-alone homes, or multi-storey high-density townhouses, a government spokesperson said at this stage, it’s too early to confirm the project specifics, as they have been “accepted only into the assessment pathway”.
“These sites have been identified as areas that could build more homes. But at this stage, that is just the first step of a few more. So in terms of how many homes and what type of homes and how many people and jobs will come from this site, that is too early to tell. At the moment, we are estimating around 75 new homes at the Kilmore site, but other than that, there’s no further details on it yet.”
The spokesperson said rezoning is the first step in the process of unlocking land for more homes and job precincts.
As part of this program, every project will still be subject to a planning assessment as well as community consultation.
The spokesperson said the Kilmore Racing Club will need to submit more information before DTP undertakes a detailed assessment.
Club Chief Executive Ben Murphy said the first stage for the club was to have “this application (to the State Government) going, which we’ve done, have it accepted, which has happened. We will respond to that acceptance with some further information, which we will do over the next little period of time. And it’s also for the Kilmore Racing Club board to determine what sort of development they think is most appropriate to the stakeholders and get their views as well.
“We are very conscious of the site and the need to provide any sort of built form that is acceptable to the community, that’s what we will consider.”
Mr Murphy said it’s the underutilised, surplus land that the club wants to develop. It’s at the edge of Kilmore.
“It’s the only pocket of land within the original township that is undeveloped, really. All we are looking to do is to develop it for the betterment of the community.
“We don’t have a fully fleshed-out concept of what we want to do at this point in time.”
The club said this process is about rectifying an “anomalous” zoning that should not have been applied. Further planning and design will inform the future yield at the site. The club is committed to ensuring retention of significant trees and appropriately designed interfaces that respond to the existing character of the neighbourhood.
“Kilmore Racing Club is committed to improving and redeveloping the existing racecourse assets and ensuring ongoing community use of the racing club facilities. The redevelopment of the site at East Street will ensure sufficient funds to enable this upgrade and redevelopment,” the club said.
A local resident, who does not want to be named, said there is a three-storey townhouse development called the Stables. It is on the rise just before Union Street becomes Kilmore East Road and passes the Kilmore Racing Club.
The resident fears the Stables complex could be deemed a precedent and used as a test case to pave the way for more medium- and high-density living in this part of town.
The resident said fitting up to 75 homes on 2.2 hectares would mean a house block of 293 square metres, so “I would assume we are looking at medium- and high-density living as I can’t imagine a home being comfortably sited in the complex surrounded by four-storey townhouses at the very least. It also raises the question of how much land could be devoted to open space and greening of this neighbourhood.”
Ms Kilkenny said: “We’re unlocking land that’s been sitting idle for years and turning it into more homes and jobs.
“If land is ready for housing, it shouldn’t be stuck waiting to be rezoned – we are cutting red tape to get more homes built sooner and where we need them most.”
Mitchell Shire Council CEO Mary Agostino said the Unlocking Strategic Sites program is a Victorian Government initiative led by the DTP.
“Council is working closely with DTP and the Kilmore Racing Club to remain informed and involved in the process,” she said.
“Council is not aware of any opportunities to provide feedback at this stage. However, we are actively seeking to be included in future discussions and decision-making.”
