Table of Contents - Nillumbik Shire Council

Hurstbridge Township Strategy• maintenance of the natural environment;• retention of bush woodland character. Future development should allow for theretention of trees and provide adequate areas for future planting of indigenous trees;• retain definition of the township edge;• residential development should be site responsive and should complement theexisting streetscape and townscape character;• new development should have regard to the visual impact (colour of materials,height, style etc);• any new development should have minimal impact on the existing landscape(vegetation removal, effect of sight lines, views etc);• new development should not impact on the amenity of adjoining/adjacent residents;• development should be designed and sited to minimise removal of indigenousvegetation;• the use of vacant land in the township area, suitable for residential use anddevelopment should be maximised;• a diversity of housing stock should be provided; and• ensure new development does not exceed capacity of existing infrastructure, orinfrastructure is provided prior to any new development.Comment on Draft Strategy – Settlement & HousingThe majority of responses received in relation to the draft Strategy focussed on, or madesome comment on, the issue of development. Of the 172 households that made asubmission, approximately 80% of households do not support residential development inHurstbridge. Most of these objections (133) were in the form of a standard letter.Clearly a large proportion of residents do not support any further residential growth in thetown. Some of the reasons given by respondents who submitted a response form or writtensubmission include:• Further residential growth conflicts with resident preferences (9 respondents);• Residential development will not influence economic growth of the township (3respondents);• Infrastructure constraints are a concern (6 respondents); and• There is no demonstrated need for residential development (4 respondents).Many residents oppose further development on the basis that residential development willsignificantly alter the character of the Hurstbridge township. There is also considerableconcern that further development will have a detrimental impact on the naturalenvironment.Approximately 18 written submissions and 10 response forms were in support of residentialdevelopment, although a number of these respondents support limited development of oneor two sites only. A number of respondents made specific references to the preferreddevelopment areas identified in the draft Strategy. Responses were a mixture of supportand disagreement for the sites identified as potentially suitable for development within theStrategy.• Support for the identification of sites for development (4 respondents);Nillumbik Shire Council – March 2002 22