Eighteen out of the 19 submissions Mitchell Shire Council received in response to a planning permit application, made by Victorian residential and construction company Deniz Group Pty Ltd, were against the subdivision.
On Monday, October 6 at a community questions and hearings meeting, councillors heard from three Pyalong residents, and from a local living in a neighbouring town, who all opposed the subdivision.
Among the chief concerns of the speakers were the number of lots and their size, the proximity of the site to the Northern Hwy, impacts to the town’s rural aesthetic, and potential septic system issues due to runoff, which is common at the site.
Linda Barrow, whose parents own the local general store, said she didn’t object to development taking place at the site, but if the number of lots were halved, many of the community’s concerns would be eased.
“Our community already struggles with drought and limited town water, and 10 additional houses would put too much strain on our resources,” she said.
“Multi-storey homes and small houses are not in keeping with our rural aesthetic. Less blocks would allow for bigger homes, more suitable for families, allowing sheds, garages and more choices on the placement of the houses, and would not impact our water supply so much.”
Suggesting thick fencing may be put in place by the new landholders to block noise from the neighbouring highway, Ms Barrow said “it would be such a shame if the entrance to Pyalong was Colorbond or paling.”
Ms Barrow also highlighted the sites location as a concern.
With the estate set to be placed on Eades Way, one of the two main exits from the town on to the Northern Hwy, Ms Barrow said it would be dangerous for vehicles turning from their properties on to the street, as motorists tended to exit the highway with speed, and that the added traffic turning at the main street’s intersection, which “is already quite confusing”, would also be unsafe.
Planning permit applicant Joe Fisher attended the meeting remotely to address the points made by objectors.
Mr Fisher was asked by councillors if his client would consider reducing the number of lots on the plan; he said he had not received any instruction to do so.
“Ultimately, as you are all aware, there is a statewide need for housing, and that extends to regional areas like this,” he said.
“This subdivision is designed well within the parameters set out in the planning scheme to allow development.
“We do note, there are larger lots in the area, but as several have noted today, particularly along High St, there are smaller allotments (in Pyalong).”
Ms Barrow also presented on behalf of her neighbour Charleen Warburton, who was not present at the meeting.
Ms Warburton was particularly concerned that the town’s aesthetic would be compromised if this planning permit was accepted.
“This subdivision is not necessary. There is plenty of land available in and around Pyalong that could be developed in ways that respect our town’s character, our environment and our community values,” Ms Barrow, on behalf of Ms Warburton, said.
“We don’t live here for convenience. We don’t mind driving to Seymour, Kilmore, Heathcote or Lansfield. We live here for peace, the community and the space. That is what we cherish.
“We do not choose Pyalong to be built out. We choose to build lives that are rural, quiet and connected to nature — not connected to highways, noise and over-development.”
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