‘Burra could expand
By Brad Lester
KORUMBURRA could be set for a housing boom with 20ha of land possibly to be opened to development.
South Gippsland Shire Council last week voted to refer the proposed rezoning of the land to an Independent Planning Panel for consideration.
The land could be changed from Farming to Residential One zone. The site fronts Jumbunna Road and is nestled between the existing southern town boundary and Korumburra Secondary College.
Cr Bob Newton described the site as “a prime piece of land” and a missed opportunity for the secondary college.
“I would have loved to have seen this land become part of the secondary college. The school should have bought it and subdivided the perimeter and that would have paid for it and they would have had room to expand,” he said.
Cr Newton now believes the secondary college will now have to relocate to a greenfield site, as it will eventually outgrow the current site.
Should the land be rezoned, there will be adequate residential land in Korumburra to meet demand for the next 10 years.
About 40 houses are being built in Korumburra every year.
Council received 13 objections to the proposal, mainly concerned about the high density living permitted by Residential One zone.
Most objectors were residents of Hillcrest Way and Rill Court, which adjoins the southern boundary of the subject land.
Some objectors instead called for Low Density Residential One zone or Rural Living Zone, resulting in larger blocks.
The planning panel will also advise council on traffic management issues associated with the development of properties fronting Jumbunna Road.
Several objectors spoke to council at a public presentation session the previous week.
Steve Osboldstone, a resident of Hillcrest Way, said all existing blocks in the vicinity were one acre lots.
“We are not objecting to subdivision but we are asking council to ensure the development fits in with what is there. We would like something bigger than quarter acre blocks,” he said.
Developer Joe Rossi wishes to build on other land in Korumburra and first applied to do so in 2006. He said he was advised by council’s planning department to wait until the Korumburra Structure Plan was in place.
He is now disappointed another application has been approved before his, especially when his land is closer to the town’s commercial heart.
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