5 Highvista Grove

This application slipped quietly under our noses until detected by wiley residents.

DEVELOPMENT NUMBER: PLP/2011/679

DEVELOPER: Bilateral Logistics

SITE: 5 Highvista Grove

APPLICATION: 2 Storey 17 room student Accommodation Lodge

The usual method of informing locals about a development is for the council officers to send a ‘Notice of an Application for Planning Permit” to those properties abutting and opposite the site. In this instance the block is surrounded by many undeveloped blocks, thus not many letters were sent out, hence not many residents knew about it.

However, thankfully, here in the east we talk to each other. By the time a mediation meeting was set the residents had begun to gather and many attended the mediation meeting. Prior to the Assessment (the decision about the permit made by council officers) there were a total of 17 objections.

After residents called the local South Ward Councillors (Cr Ben Taylor, Cr Cheryl Blomfield and Cr Des Hudson) to ensure at least two had requested it be ‘called in”, the matter has now been called into a council meeting (likely February 2012). Anyone can attend and we would encourage residents to inform all Councillors about the development and their feelings about it, because all Councillors are part of the vote.

Encourage all Councillors to come out and have a look and talk to residents, this way they will be informed about the area and be able to make an informed decision as to the pros and cons of any particular development. Please contact info@ballarateast.net to be put in contact with the residents group supporting community action on this development.