Note from the Editor
In the October issue of Gully News we published an article from the Residents Committee about the founding of the Glengollan Retirement Village in Underwood Road.
It commented on the problems arising from the proposal to build a two storey age care facility in nearby St Elmo Avenue and noted that a decision was awaited from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Upon publication St Elmo residents sent a reply offering much more detail about the process. Since then VCAT has announced their decision that the proposal can go ahead, with conditions.
Both parties have sent comments reminding us of the difficulties that will always arise when building at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges. Comments include the following:
By Steve Herbut, on behalf of St Elmo residents
Whether it be a home, a shop or an aged care facility, any proposed building must meet the requirements of the Knox Planning Scheme. In 2018, the Victorian Government amended all State Planning Schemes to allow larger scale residential aged care facilities.
In 2019, Glengollan bought a large block in St Elmo Ave, applying in May 2020 to build a new aged care facility there. The size and scale of the proposed development would never have been considered before the 2018 planning scheme changes.
However, the Glengollan proposal contained significant deficiencies. More than 400 local property owners formally objected and Knox Council rejected that application in 2021 because it failed to conform to the Knox Planning Scheme. Glengollan appealed to VCAT, which also rejected the application in July 2022.
Neighbouring residents hold significant concerns. Both Council and VCAT accepted these, to do with scale and bulk, landscaping, privacy, bushfire risk, removal of 30+ significant trees – each requiring a permit – drainage and flooding of neighbouring properties. Residents tried to mediate, suggesting five simple changes that would have seen our objections withdrawn. Glengollan refused.
In March 2023, Glengollan made a new application with exactly the same design VCAT had rejected, which was again rejected by Knox Council on substantially the same grounds. Glengollan again appealed to VCAT. At the mediation session in July 2024, Glengollan made the same proposal that Knox Council rejected in January. By the end of the mediation session, Glengollan was suggesting changes, yet without any concrete proposal.
At the September VCAT hearing, the development plans presented at the hearing were significantly different. The proposed building had been relocated and shortened; the number of beds reduced. Additional landscaping was proposed; some 90 canopy trees to be planted. More window and balcony screens were added to address overlooking of neighbouring properties.
Many problems still remained; in particular the risk of flooding to the new building and the diversion of water to neighbouring properties. Glengollan’s own flood and drainage expert agreed that the flood risk was a problem and there was not yet a solution ‘but 100% it can be fixed.’
On Friday October 25, VCAT directed that a planning permit be granted. VCAT also added 16 pages of detailed permit conditions (including a condition for Knox Council to approve a drainage plan that resolves the problems presented to VCAT). Glengollan must now submit all the detailed design documentation requested by VCAT. Only once approved by Knox Council will they be granted building approval, upon which they can apply for a building permit. Assuming the development goes ahead, occupancy is still some years away.
By Glengollan Residents Committee
VCAT have said yes to our application! Following the final hearing in early September, VCAT personnel came out to the site to inspect it for themselves. They have since approved it, with conditions.
The Permit allows Buildings and works to construct a two-storey residential aged care facility, the display of signage and removal of vegetation. The conditions cover plans for Drainage, Landscape, Land Management, Restoration, Sustainability Management, Waste Management and Construction and Traffic Management. All of these conditions can and will be met.
So, hopefully starting soon, both Glengollan’s Management and Village Residents are looking forward to assisting in “turning the first sod.” If only Violet Lambert [the founder] could be there…
