Gembrook resists suburban makeover

By Tania Martin
GEMROOK residents are up in arms over a proposed 34lot subdivision, concerned that it will change the “way of life” in the small country town.
Residents will meet tonight (Wednesday) at Gembrook RSL at 7pm to form an action group to oppose the development.
Nearby residents were notified by mail last week of the subdivision which has been proposed for a twohectare block of land on the back of BelgraveGembrook Road.
Shirley Smith of Redwood Road is calling for residents to get involved to help stop the development, which would face her back yard.
Ms Smith said the whole town was up in arms over the development, as it would change the way of life in Gembrook.
She said townspeople want blocks to be at least a quarter of an acre (1011 square metres) but the proposed development is for 450square metres blocks.
“If this (the development) went ahead then anyone could put in a subdivision for 450 square metres and it would be most upsetting.
“We (Gembrook) are just a small rural town, not Pakenham, and we have no desire to be suburban. We would be living in the suburbs if we wanted that,” she said.
Gembrook resident Yvonne Bennett said she was upset over the prospective development.
She was also concerned that she would not have known about the development if she had not been told by nearby residents.
This is because a developer is only required to notify residents living within neighbouring streets of the proposal.
Ms Bennett said she has only lived in Gembrook for two and a half years, but she moved to the area because of its rural environment.
She said that in Gembrook residents enjoyed larger blocks and wideopen spaces, but that if 450 square metre blocks were introduced to the town it would look like an urban Rowville or Pakenham.
“It would be a very sad day if that occurred,” she said.
Ms Bennett said she didn’t understand the size allocations for the subdivision as in the Pakenham area new estates have a standard size of 750 square metres.
She said while 450 square metres was the standard size under the residential one zoning, it didn’t make sense for Gembrook.
Ms Bennett said it was now important for the whole town to get behind a campaign to object to the subdivision.
She said it was important for townspeople to put in individual objections to the development rather than collecting a petition.
“We don’t want a builtup high density urban area, we don’t want another AFL Park.
“And, I find it really hard to understand the value of such a development in a really lovely small place like Gembrook,” Ms Bennett said.
Cardinia manager of governance and communication Doug Evans said the council would consider the application and any submissions received before deciding on the development.
Although the letter to residents said they had until 24 May to make submissions, Mr Evans said the council would accept submissions until the application goes before a council meeting later this year.