Thursday, 5 October 2023

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:50): (449) My constituency question is to the Minister for Planning regarding her response about the demolition of 154 Drysdale Avenue, Narre Warren North, when the planning application to build a childcare centre on that site has not been approved. Yesterday, 4 October 2023, residents received a response from the Ombudsman about the lack of communication and transparency in this process. The Ombudsman said:

… Council advised that a decision is yet to be made on the application.

This raises concerns about the coordination and communication between the council and property owners or developers. The Ombudsman also said that Casey council has:

… confirmed a Development Plan Overlay does apply –

and that –

the application is therefore exempt from notice and review rights.

Minister, with Casey council under this government’s administration, residents want to know why the demolition was allowed to commence before the planning application was approved or denied and why council chose to use the development plan overlay, denying residents a chance to seek review.