VERBAL submissions for the proposal to develop the airspace above the Maude and Nixon Street carparks were heard by the Greater Shepparton City Council last week.
Community consultation closed February 28, with 759 submissions received. Of these, 39 were invited to speak during the two-day closed Council hearing last Monday and Tuesday.
John Anderson, president of Shepparton’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed the Chamber’s concern over the loss of vital parking spaces.
“Businesses right across the CBD have expressed concern to the Chamber that there would be a loss of business due to both reduction of carparking and the concern for personal safety of accessing a roofed carpark after dark,” Mr Anderson submit.
“This concern has been most strongly expressed by hospitality businesses who have staff currently using this park until late at night.”
In his submission, David Earle, past president of the Shepparton Rotary Club said nearby businesses claim they will move if the proposal goes ahead and cited impacts to Shepparton ACE Secondary College, parking and business as reasons why the location of the proposal is inappropriate.
He finds the proposal is not in line with Council’s Shepparton CBD Strategy (2008), which states the CBD will attract visitors through a range of businesses and an interesting, safe, welcoming ambiance.
Mr Earle found the proposal is not compliant with recently amended standards under the Victorian Planning Provisions (VPP), Clause 55. Due to the development encroaching in the school’s privacy, for reducing capabilities of existing solar panels and solar access, and the social housing would not comply with adjusted regulations concerning access to open green space.
Modern standards state that access to green, natural spaces is non-negotiable for counterbalancing the confines of apartment living. The site cannot accommodate the required landscaping, tree canopy cover, or the outdoor space necessary for new residents or existing students, and the community who use the area to park, eat, learn, work, or shop.
In both their submissions, and what is a strong consensus amongst the ‘nays’ to social housing at this particular site, Mr Anderson and Mr Earle expressed dismay at the “flawed planning” process that has failed to respect the neighbourhood or the needs of the community.
