50-lot subdivision proposed

FOSTER’S next area of urban expansion is moving forward with public advertising and notification of adjoining landowners in relation to a planning application for 50-lot residential subdivision in the town’s south east on an L-shaped area of land zoned Residential 1.

The site is located behind the hospital and Catholic Church, and with frontage to Varney Street, O’Connell Road and the corner of Nelson Street where it turns into Jones Street.

To the east, the land also abuts the Cement Hill Natural Features Reserve, which is zoned Public Conservation and Resource Zone.

Speaking for applicant Surveytech Pty Ltd, Gary Wallis described the subdivision as having “a mixed range of sizes from approximately 400 square metres up to approximately 1,500 square metres, with plenty of standard size lots of around 650 square metres in between.”

Some proposed lots with views would be on the slopes below the bush reserve, while others would be on the flats near the hospital, so Mr. Wallis anticipates that the variety would appeal to buyers from young families through to retirees.

With the previous two residential subdivisions in the Nelson Road/Wood Street/Varney Road vicinity having sold well (the smaller of which of which was also undertaken by Mr. Wallis), Mr. Wallis said there was strong demand for more residential blocks in Foster.

“The land is zoned Residential 1 and has been targeted for many years to extend Foster’s township living area.

“With the underground power and new buildings, it will be one of the best parts of Foster,” he said.

Mr. Wallis acknowledged that at one stage, Prom Country Aged Care had inquired about some of the land for its new aged care facility, however when those discussions did not proceed, he continued with his residential subdivision plans.

Council’s Acting Planning Manager Paul Stampton advised that the application has been with Council for 30 ‘statutory days’ and had been referred to the Country Fire Authority, Council’s engineering department and utility service providers for comment.

Given a recent decision by Council about delegation of planning powers to its planning officers, Mr. Stampton doubted that the application would need to go to Council for a decision unless five or more objections were received or the Chief Executive Officer decided it had special significance.

Mr. Stampton expected that the subdivision developer would be required to make a developer contribution to Council (towards infrastructure) as part of any subdivision agreement.

Anyone wishing to make a written submission about the proposed subdivision – in support or objection or asking for specific outcomes – needs to do so by contacting South Gippsland Shire by next Wednesday, September 22.

The application can be viewed during business hours at the Council offices in Leongatha.

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