News

Developers have put in proposals for our community land and buildings – the old Shire Office site; and demolition of the historical Eltham Living War Memorial Buildings.

Earlier this year, in spite of community objections, Nillumbik Shire Council decided to issue a planning permit for 15 apartments on a standard suburban block in Pryor St. ECAG decided to appeal to VCAT to overturn Council’s decision.

As we noted in a previous article , a council officer told us earlier this year that ‘community engagement’ with the broader community in regard to desired uses of the Old Shire Offices site and the War Memorial buildings was expected to take place  in June/July.

Eltham’s trees rejuvenate us. They make us healthier, happier and more productive. They are also a part of our cultural identity, as a shire with a history of environmental activism. However, with medium-density development in the town centre, trees on private land are at risk.

Recently, Nillumbik Shire Council advertised plans to extend the Eltham Oval Pavilion. The existing Pavilion sits on the north-west edge of the oval, against a backdrop of native vegetation. The Eltham Community Action group (ECAG) felt it was important that the proposed colours and materials selected for the building be sympathetic to, and harmonious with, the natural setting.

When developers put in a planning application back in 2016 for two five storey buildings to be built in Arthur and Dudley Streets, over 36o objections were made to Nillumbik Shire Council.

The developer, G3 Projects Pty Ltd, is now taking Nillumbik Shire Council to VCAT.

Several years ago, development for two buildings containing 10 dwellings was granted for 28 Luck St. However, that development had not yet gone ahead and a further planning application was submitted to Nillumbik Shire Council for a six townhouse, 4 x three storey and 2 x two storey, application.

It appears that council is hoping to sell off part of this land to enable something to be built on another part. There appear to be several possible scenarios, however the baseline is that they want to redevelop the sites.

Without any prior discussion with our neighbourhood, Nillumbik Council announced by classified advertisement inside the back of of the Diamond Valley Leader (31 Jan) its intention to sell housing developers several scattered hectares of our public open space. The matter was quietly resolved at a Council meeting the evening prior.