Pressure is mounting for the state government to reject the Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan that would trigger substantial development of Riddells Creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A public meeting last week saw the town’s community centre reach capacity with residents ready to fight the plans for a second time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The current proposal has increased lots slightly on the former plan for 1300 homes over 130 hectares, against common community sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Riddells Creek Planning Group’s Ross Colliver described the proposal as “an inner Melbourne suburb stuck on the edge of a rural town”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“About 400 people came to the meeting, all wanting to speak up for our town,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As a planning group we want to people to understand what is happening.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year Riddells Creek residents rallied in a campaign for better outcomes from the proposal including minimum lot sizes of 800sqm. A submission to council included a petition with 1231 signatories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macedon Ranges Shire Council refused the plan last year following community push-back to growth that would change the town’s rural identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Project developers have since applied directly to the state government through the Development Facilitation Program.
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The program is described as “an assessment pathway for priority projects in identified sectors to inject investment into the Victorian economy, keep people in jobs and create homes for people”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macedon Ranges mayor Annette Death addressed the meeting last week to confirm the council’s stance on the plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n