Zarro also feared the creek would struggle to cope with a large rise in stormwater flow, compounded by plans to build a concrete cycling path along the creek.
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“It’s an important part of the community and there are not many natural areas left,” she said.
Zarro said volunteers had recently planted thousands of new trees, in part with a grant from the rail loop authority. She feared this work would be negated by the precinct plans.
“It’s going to tear the community apart a bit when they realise the implications,” she said.
A Suburban Rail Loop Authority spokesman said building heights on the creek’s western side had been reduced following previous community feedback.
He said Burwood’s draft plan recognised the creek as a valuable local asset and, between the authority and the state government, $124,000 had been invested to support its biodiversity.
“We plan to naturalise part of Gardiner’s Creek to improve its biodiversity and will also deliver specific guidelines for new developments to further protect the creek, deliver open space and minimise overshadowing,” he said.
Both Monash and Whitehorse councils broadly support the state government project but warn key problems must be rectified and concerns raised in past submissions haven’t been dealt with.
They emphasise their disappointment that affordable housing requirements have not been introduced, despite the Suburban Rail Loop Authority previously flagging that large gaps needed to be addressed.
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Whitehorse Council, which covers stations in Box Hill and Burwood, slams the government authority’s reliance on a voluntary framework in which developers can choose to provide public benefit, such as widened footpaths or affordable housing, in exchange for taller building heights.
“These options amount to critical infrastructure that should not be traded off at the expense of the other, at the discretion of individual developers,” the council says.
Monash Council, which includes stations in Glen Waverley, Clayton, Monash University and part of Burwood, says this scheme means “affordable housing is unlikely to be provided in any material quantity” and that public realm works should be funded by developers as a matter of course.
The council also points to a disconnect with the Victorian government’s housing targets. An additional 69,500 homes are expected to be built in Monash Council by 2051 – a 90 per cent increase from current levels – yet the forecast dwelling increase across its four station precincts is only 11,400.
The two councils worry that plans for maximum parking rates in new developments – such as a reduction of up to 40 per cent parking at supermarkets – are premature.
“Residents will wish to maintain the option to use a car as they feel it is essential for their lifestyle,” Monash Council states.
“It is unlikely that behaviours will change much while the SRL is not yet operating and until there is a high level of cultural change.”
The councils have again repeated their call for careful planning and funding strategies for crucial community facilities, liveable streets and public open space.
“The most critical issue that will determine the success of the precinct planning is the delivery of the necessary infrastructure,” Whitehorse Council states.
The authority spokesman said the station precincts were key to the Victorian government’s plan to tackle housing supply and structure plans would provide incentives for affordable housing.
He said more than 800 submissions on the proposed structure plans and planning scheme amendments had been received. The plans are expected to be finalised in 2026.
Suburban Rail Loop Minister Harriet Shing said tunnel boring would get under way next year, bringing the state closer to building 70,000 more homes, including affordable housing.
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