Inundated: The proposed development site can be seen in the centre of the image inundated with water and behind the flooded side of the levee.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Community members in Echuca’s east have expressed concern after a proposal for a residential development was proposed at 166 Bowen St, in the area controversially dubbed as the ‘wrong side of the levee’.
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The application for the development was lodged on September 29 of this year and is still in progress.
The publicly accessible planning documents state the development will comprise of 16 residential lots, with an estimated project cost of $4,710,000.
Concerns raised: Community members in Echuca’s east have flagged concerns after a residential development application was made for 166 Bowen St.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
The proposed development site and surrounding houses were inundated with water during the mid-October floods.
Comprised in the application was a letter from North Central Catchment Management Authority waterways and floodplain officer Peter O'Toole dated August 16.
The letter stated that the “North Central CMA advises that in the event of a one per cent AEP (one in 100-year) flood event it is likely that the property will be subject to inundation from Murray River.”
“Survey data available to the North Central CMA indicates that the (one in 100-year) flood level may result in flood depths of approximately 0.4 to 1.2 metres across the property.”
According to the letter, each house will be required to meet a minimum floor level of at least 95.7m so as to have protection from flooding.
The Riverine Herald attempted to enter a community meeting about the proposal, held on Wednesday, December 21 at the Echuca Library.
However, were refused access by Campaspe Shire Council’s planning team leader Ally Wilkie.
Ms Wilkie said the meeting was invitation only for community members who had objected to the proposal of the development.
About 15 people were in attendance at the meeting including two council representatives.
Nick Dean, who resides on Pakenham St, was one of more than 10 neighbours in attendance at the meeting who have objected the development.
“We received a letter about the development when we were flooded,” Mr Dean said.
“We asked for an extension because the cut off date to object was December 1, but we never heard anything back from anyone so all the neighbours collated our complaints and lodged them.
“I wasn’t even notified that there was a community meeting for objectors despite the fact that I had objected. I found out through a neighbour.”
Plan: The development application states that the estimated project cost is $4,710,000.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
Mr Dean said several concerns were raised at the meeting.
He said the issue of privacy was brought up, with objectors voicing their concerns about the proximity of the new houses to the fence line of the existing houses and the elevation of the new houses as to what can be seen in the existing houses.
Not only that, but the objectors are calling for a number of restorative works to be completed in the existing area before any new developments are to be considered.
“The general feeling for the objectors is that we are not against a development here because that will bring value to the area, but unless there are infrastructure upgrades then we don’t want it,” he said.
“The storm water needs to be revamped down here, the roads need to be upgraded down here because we still have dirt roads.
“And if it floods it’s going to be to the detriment of the houses that are already here. The water’s got to go somewhere so if they’re planning to go ahead with this development then there should be a levee built here to protect all of the homes.”
Mr Dean said a number of questions had been raised about the site being in a flood prone area.
“Whose going to buy a house down here when it’s extremely difficult to get insurance? Who is going to spend money on these houses when you’re not even guaranteed that your house will not be divided by a levee bank?,” he said.
“The last thing I said at that meeting was rest assured if we don’t get the infrastructure upgrades, we don’t get the levee to protect the homes or we don’t get the roads sealed then you can guarantee that we will be taking this to VCAT.”
Planning documents have listed Dale Denham of Denham Design as the leading project designer and the sole proprietor of the land as being located at 16 Cornelia Creek Rd, Echuca — also known as Kennaugh's Garden Centre.
Following the meeting, The Riverine Herald again tried to contact Campaspe Shire Council, however, no comment was provided.
