Planning Minister Neglects Upper Ferntree Gully’s Skyline

2016-06-22

Samantha Dunn, Greens MP for Eastern Metropolitan, is calling on the Minister for Planning to fast-track approval for Knox City Council’s planning scheme amendment (C146) request.   “In Parliament, I asked the Minister to listen to locals and act quickly to ensure appropriate height planning controls are in place to maintain the integrity of Upper Ferntree Gully.   “Residents are rightly very concerned that currently no height controls exist.   “Upper Ferntree Gully is a key gateway town to the Dandenong Ranges. Height controls will help ensure developments don’t detract from the area’s local character and uniqueness.     Knox City Council requested the Minister’s approval of C!46 on 16 May 2016 as it works on Amendment C141 to implement permanent controls through the Upper Gully Strategic Plan.   “Knox City Council has demonstrated that this amendment needs to be approved to ensure effective permanent height controls can be finalised.   “The Minister needs to act now – Knox City Council and local residents can’t afford to wait much longer.”   Further information: »   Amendment C146 to the Knox Planning Scheme seeks to apply interim controls contained in clause 43.02 Design and Development Overlay - Schedule 10, which expired on 30 April 2016.  »   The C146 amendment seeks to extend the height controls for a period of 18 months by extending the expiry date to 30 October 2017.​