OCTOBER 15, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Riddells Creek uproar By Jessica Micallef Riddells Creek residents are rallying against a huge housing development, claiming it would be a “disaster” for the town. The plan proposes 1290 lots on a 131 hectare site, with average lot sizes of 476 square metres on Amess Road, Riddells Creek. The site is currently zoned for urban growth. The plan also proposes open park spaces, drainage reserves and a community facility. Developer Sector Advantage is preparing the precinct structure plan for Amess Road in partnership with the council. But the plans have come under fire by Riddells Creek residents who have created a Facebook group called Save Riddells Creek.
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They’re going to double the size of Riddells Creek - Helen Barrett
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Group creator and Amess Road resident Helen Barrett said the group was created to provide residents with more information on the proposed plan. Since its establishment last month, the group has more than 400 members. Ms Barrett said she was not happy with the plan, labelling it a “disaster”. “I live exactly opposite the site and I’ve spoken to a lot of people in the town. The major concern is the size of the blocks,” she said. “The majority of the blocks are 476 square metres. I’m opposite it and I’m on 2.5 acres. That’s a big upset for the whole community because that’s urban size and we’re rural. They’re going to double the size of Riddells Creek.” Ms Barrett said Riddells Creek would not cope with the population that would come with the proposed plan. “As it is, we’ve got no footpath, the roads are rubbish and the train station carparking is already full,” she said. “We just don’t have the infrastructure, the health, the roads, the parking, any of the services really. Our sporting facilities are lacking. It would be a disaster. “They want 1290 blocks over there … the sheer size of it is massive. What the people are wanting is more moderate, reasonable development – something that we could cope with.” Macedon Ranges council undertook public consultation for four weeks in September. The council is not expected to make a decision on the plan until next year. To view the Facebook group, visit: bit.ly/2Vv5JAs 12427332-CG39-19 10070720-21
A haunting we will go The Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House will be transformed into a spooky, kooky place of fun later this month. Children are invited to dress up in creepy and frightening costumes for the Spooktacular Halloween Party. Event organiser Nicole Garbutt said she was looking forward to the American tradition becoming immortalised in town. “Riddells Creek has really embraced Halloween and each year more children get dressed up and go trick-or-treating,” she said. “We thought we would offer a meet-up point for those who celebrate Halloween to catch up and socialise before heading out to trick-or-treat.” Partygoers can walk through a hair-raising haunted house, pat the cuddly giant spiders, shake hands with a skeleton, and visit the gruesome graveyard. The Spooktacular Halloween Party is on Thursday, October 31, at 59 Main Road Riddells Creek between 3-6.30pm. Funds raised from the sale of Halloween-themed treats and a sausage sizzle at the party will go to the Riddells Creek Lions Club and the Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House. To register: bit.ly/31WNyGb Jessica Micallef
Eleni, Kyrah and Connor get into the Halloween spirit. (Joe Mastroianni)
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