Neighbouring residents will be given a say on rezoning land in Jarrah Street, Wodonga after being left off a long list of city properties to undergo minor zoning tweaks at the last minute.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wodonga Council staff this week recommended part of 47 Jarrah Street be rezoned from public park and recreation zone to general residential zone among more than 30 land parcels also needing changes.
But council voted 6-1 to exclude the Jarrah Street address being presented to Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne for final approval after Cr Ron Mildren raised concerns about flooding due to its location near Huon Creek and residents in the area not being aware of the planned changes.
Cr Mildren's amendment, backed by all councillors except Cr Kat Bennett, will seek support from the minister for the land to be changed to an "appropriate" alternative zone given the flood risks and full public notice be given to adjacent landowners of the revised process.
"This is the transparent way to deal with this," Cr Mildren said.
"These sorts of amendments are not always as clear cut as they seem.
IN OTHER NEWS
"How this one slipped through the net is a little bit surprising, but I understand when you've got lots and lots of them these things can happen.
"The council, as the planning authority, has the responsibility to make sure we get it right.
"We're not perfect and things can happen, but (the government) accepts what council puts in generally in terms of the detail.
"We're doing the right thing by our community by taking this one out and putting it through a proper public process."
Ministerial exemption from public notification of the changes were sought and received by council.
Cr Bennett quizzed planning director Leon Schutlz on why council didn't need to notify adjoining landowners in Jarrah Street.
"The amendment is widespread," he said.
"It impacts a range of properties and property owners across the whole of the city.
"This isn't just about Jarrah Street."
Cr Libby Hall said ratepayers generally didn't forensically study council agendas.
"If the shoe was on the other foot I think you would like to be made aware of these changes going on around you," she said.
"These people won't be aware this is happening until it has happened."