Westbury resident Barry Lee told Meander Valley councillors he was ‘disgusted’ with them in a passionate plea to prevent more units in a northern area of the town.

Commenting on a planning application for eight units at 6 Franklin Street, Mr Lee said they would create a total of 52 units in the area.

But councillors passed the $1.8m planning application. Even though Cllr Deb White commented that she was ‘perturbed by the density of the development’, she said councillors couldn’t oppose it unless there were good reasons.

Mr Lee listed, ‘Six units at the sports centre, Southern Cross Ainsley has six, there are two in Franklin Street, two in Allison Court, another three built on Franklin Street, ten in stage one of Aged Care Deloraine’s Franklin Gardens and 15 more set aside for that. And now another eight are planned.’

Commenting that train noise in the area was not measured and no traffic data collected, Mr Lee asked councillors, ‘Are you comfortable with the strategic priorities of this planning arrangement? Have you been forced by greedy developers to approve these plans?’

Another resident of the area Sean Manners described the crowded nature of the units as ‘unethical, disgusting and a rort’.

He said, ‘It seems to me that the developer is being over greedy in their desire to build eight units without any consideration of pedestrian safety. 

‘What about young children? It is not enough for the developer to say that only “old” people will buy the units. 

‘Meander Valley Council may like the idea of more ratepayers but at what cost to personal amenity? Just because something may tick the boxes or be in the rules does not make it right!’

Cllr Stephanie Cameron said, ‘I don’t know if we’re ever going to get it perfect, particularly in Westbury, but if it meets the [planning scheme] criteria that’s something we have to be mindful of.’

Cllr Rodney Synfield said he would not support the development because of issues with private open space, lack of a footpath and its ‘packed in’ nature.

The mayor Cllr Wayne Johnston said, ‘Supply and demand usually dictates what can be built and what can be sold. It ticks the boxes so I’ll be supporting it.’

But new Cllr Michal Frydrych said, ‘I cannot agree with that sort of development in what is a rural area.

‘I’m certainly not satisfied with parking space, turning space, visitors’ parking, sewage. You name it, it’s all there.

‘I think the whole thing should be reviewed and we cannot say ‘tick the boxes’. That’s not what we’re here for.’

Cllr Johnston responded, ‘We will probably have a discussion with you going forward as you get your head around the planning scheme.’

The application was supported by Cllrs Cameron, Johnston, Kelly and White. Cllrs Frydrych, Synfield and Temple voted against it. 

Cllr King was an apology and Cllr Sherriff did not vote because he is related to the developer.