Populist Politicians Plague Portarlington Planning
MP Bev McArthur has criticised fellow Western Victoria Region MP Gayle Tierney’s public comments on a proposed development in Portarlington, as well as those of Bellarine MP Lisa Neville and Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne recently announced he will intervene in an application to turn a dilapidated and unsightly block and building on Portarlington’s Newcombe Street, into a new $7m residential and retail development.
Mrs McArthur suggested local politicians’ populist interventions may have been responsible for the Minister’s call-in, which comes just six weeks before an independent judgement was due at a VCAT hearing.
“The unthinking opposition of Labor MPs to this project is pathetic, and driven entirely by an attempt to pander to a small number of local objectors.” “They are ignoring what matters for the long-term future of the area to win a few votes at the next election.”
“This application should be decided on its merits, by the proper planning process. It’s completely inappropriate for the Minister to call it in. This appears to be more about politics than planning.”
Mrs McArthur particularly contrasted her fellow Western Victoria Region MP Gayle Tierney’s approach on this matter, to her position on the proposal to dump potentially-toxic PFAS contaminated soil in Bacchus Marsh, or AusNet’s project to build a 190km electricity transmission network through pristine ecological and agricultural landscapes in their shared electorate.
”The people of Bacchus Marsh, and the communities across Western Victoria threatened by the new 80m overhead power pylons will be appalled to see Ms Tierney’s apparent intervention on this matter.”
“She speaks up against a well-designed and much needed development here, yet has done nothing whatsoever to support those threatened by the Bacchus Marsh soil proposal, or AusNet’s monster towers.”
“It seems there’s one rule when it comes to private sector development, however scaled down and receptive to community concerns, and another entirely when it’s Government infrastructure projects which threaten to blight lives and livelihoods.”
Mrs McArthur is supportive of the Portarlington developer’s efforts to transform the site, and praised his efforts to address community concern.
She said: “I was pleased to see the new designs for the block, which reduce the number of storeys and bring down the planned height from 14.3m to 11m.”
“The developer has clearly listened to the initial objections, and brought forward a new design which can only improve the area’s visual amenity.”
“I have been contacted by a number of locals supportive of the application, and recently went to view the property myself.”
“Frankly the existing site is an eyesore, and I commend the initiative and investment the proponents are bringing to this project.”
“We should be encouraging this kind of investment, and the progress it will bring, not attacking it.”
23 July 2021