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Native forest report set to be tabled CONSULTATION has now closed for the investigation by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council into the future of the native forests in the Central Highlands. The Eminent Panel that has been assessing community feedback on the VEAC proposals is currently preparing its recommendations to government on the future use and management of these forests. The panel hosted more than 60 targeted engagement sessions with organisations and community representatives from more than 80 groups. More than 1000 people attended nine open community drop-in sessions in Noojee, Healesville, Warburton, Yarra Junction, Gembrook, Wandong, Marysville, Drouin and Alexandra. Data is also being collated from the EngageVic website, with more than 60,000 unique page visitors and 14,000 unique survey responses. The panel has requested extra time to complete its report to ensure that all voices are properly heard and considered as part of its report to government. VEAC will finalise its economic assessment of the panel’s recommendations and produce a final report, in line with its terms of reference, following the completion of the panel’s report. There will be further opportunities to contribute to conversations about the future use of state forests with the Great Outdoors Taskforce that is working in forests in North East Victoria and Gippsland.
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Time-space continuum Sale boy Scott Pendlebury is chaired off the MCG last Saturday night by teammates Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom after playing his 400th game. The Collingwood legend had a night to remember, as the Magpies won a thriller, with the game coming down to a kick after the siren.
MORE - PAGE 31 Photo: AFL Galleries
More but less in Maffra Erika Allen
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HAIR IS KANYEMBA Raymond Street, Sale
Phone 5144 5746 “To err is human; to forgive, divine” Alexander Pope
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DEMAND for residential growth in Maffra is increasing, but there is a need for more land. Maffra is Wellington Shire’s second-largest town by population - home to 5384 people according to the 2021 Census. However, a shortage of available land to build housing has compelled some prospective residents to relocate to nearby towns like Stratford. Not only is there a shortage of land zoned for residential growth, according to Grant Warfe, a developer who has worked with the Wellington Shire since 2015, but lengthy approvals from necessary authorities delay construction. Mr Warfe said the sale of lots within the Daly Park Estate prove housing demand is strong in Maffra, with all 88 sold. The Daly Park Estate is located between Powerscourt Street and Boisdale St on land Mr Warfe purchased in 2021. “Those 88 lots all got snapped up quick,” he said. “In Stage 1, we developed 43 lots because the demand was obviously there (with) Maffra being landlocked.” Throughout the estate, homes are in various stages of development; some are complete and lived in, while others are under construction. However, weeds are the only growth within a fenced-off section. Mr Warfe said the Stage 3 development of 22
lots is at a standstill because VicRoads took two years to approve the designs for an intersection onto Powers Court St. “We’re still waiting on (a) memorandum of authority,” he said. For developers and eventual lot owners, time is money, and while wading through red tape is a constant challenge for developers like Mr Warfe, the flow-on effects of slow approvals and delays affect land purchasers. Mr Warfe said the lots were sold over two years (28 months) ago. Four purchasers have walked away from their contracts, with Mr Warfe citing that it became unviable financially. “At the moment they’ve seen all their blocks are ready (and) there’s no intersection… they ask questions.” As the developer, Mr Warfe said his work is complete, having had sewerage lines and electricity connection ready. Narelle Hahn has worked in land development for more than 12 years. She is the Eastern Region Manager of Engineering for Beveridge Williams, a consultancy service for project management, town planning, surveying and engineering. The Daly Park Estate is the second development she has consulted with Mr Warfe. Within the eastern region - Warragul, Traralgon, and surrounds - Ms Hahn said there are examples of other developments halted by VicRoad’s slow approvals, notably in Sale and Rosedale.
“Everywhere jobs are delayed because of VicRoads,” she said. She said VicRoads are slow to approve proposals because they’re “severely under-resourced”. “There’s essentially one engineer checking plans for the eastern regions, like Warragul to the eastern border. If you think about all the developments across the eastern region, it’s too much for one person to be checking.” The Gippsland Times asked VicRoads to confirm this and explain why the intersection’s approval was lengthy. A VicRoads response could not be provided before this issue went to print. The intersection is an example of an asset developers foot the bill for, and Ms Hahn likened its $650,000 delivery cost to giving away two or three lots. Many of the lots within the estate have been sold for $225,000. Finding a way around the delays has led Mr Warfe to amend Stage 3 so that at least 16 lots can proceed, while Stage 4 will encompass six lots closest to Powerscourt St. “(For) developers in country areas, it’s (about) price point, we’ve got to try and match the market, but in-fill sites like (Daly Park Estate) just become unviable in the current climate to develop with the time lag. It should have been finished probably October last year, and we won’t be finished the way we’re going this October,” Mr Warfe said about the delays the intersection saga has caused. Continued - Page 5