I want to object
If you wish to voice your opinion as of March 31st 2025 your right to object has been removed by the introduction of Amendments VC257, VC 267 and VC 274 which Jacinta Alan has implemented to remove obstacles to densification. Developers no longer have to apply to local Council, if their plan fits the State Planning blueprint. Along with this Maroondahs thorough neighbourhood character document embedded into the local planning scheme has also lost its ability to be relevant.
No land owner is permitted to remove a viable tree without a Maroondah Council Permit!
Setbacks ( to allow for garden/ trees and extra privacy have been eroded from 6 meters at the rear to just 1 meter. Front setbacks are also now much smaller so front gardens are a luxury if you have one. CCS is extremely concerned at the blatant disregard for our mature trees that are supposed to provide 30% cover of the municipality to prevent heat island effect.
The”building envelope” this is the square meter-age space allowed for the entire site coverage of the proposal. Footprint, is more detailed and shows where the building envelope is to be sited.
New houses can be made to position exterior walls that take into account a Canopy tree. A canopy trees is one with a girth circumference greater that 500cms measured 1 meter above the ground or the tree is taller than 5 meters. it is irrelevant whether it is a native or ornamental or exotic tree, with the exception of some weed species which are documented here.
Most of Maroondah is covered by one of two planning controls, known as SLO or VPO, both are about retaining trees. The SLO is significant landscape overlay and in general refers to the geographical feature of the Wicklow ridgeline which transverses Maroondah, from Wombolano park at Heathmont, through Croydon South at the top of Eastfield Rd across to behind the Monastery as the Monastery ridge, and across Maroondah highway at the top of Birts Hill, intersection of Yarra Rd down to Plymouth Rd, with Richardsons Rd being at the highest elevation. This ridgeline is visible as a treed feature from Mt Dandenong lookout. A second ridgeline is across Wyreena area parallel to Dorset Rd.
A VPO is a Vegetation Protection Overlay which is designed to protect habitat, so it may mean a permit is required to remove a native tree, even if it is dead, as it may develop nesting hollows or other suitable nesting or roosting potential. The land in question may have both a VPO and a SLO. Maroondah Council does it’s best within planning law to keep our area covered by Canopy trees.
To begin with write something to your elected Councillors, their email addresses are on Councils webpage. Make it clear why you are unhappy, Definitely mention Canopy tree protection if you want to help prevent further Climate Change.