A trend is definitely occurring within Glen Eira where properties zoned Neighbourhood Residential, are selling up and getting out as quickly as they can. The latest example comes from Mavho Street, Bentleigh where some properties are zoned Residential Growth, some General Residential and others Neighbourhood Residential. Below is a screen dump of two adjoining properties located in the Neighbourhood Residential zone. We can only assume that the owners have seen what is happening to their street and their neighbourhood and decided that they want out.
What will also be vital in the months to come is what happens on such relatively large sites. Whilst the Planning Scheme still contains the criterion that larger than surrounding blocks will be adjudicated against the General Residential Zone ‘standards’ instead of the Neighbourhood Residential zone ones, it will be most interesting to see how this plays out if the purchaser decides to aim for a 3 storey and 20+ unit development.
Mavho Street is already gone. Now it is the turn of Bendigo Avenue as these recent advertisements show. Two triple blocks zoned Residential Growth are on the market and the single property is zoned General Residential Zone 2. An ‘invitation’ for 4 and 3 storey developments in an area with a Heritage Overlay and a SBO (Melbourne Water overlay).
Glen Eira Debates 
March 27, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Magee has been repeatedly heard saying that he is very much in favour of high rise developments in the middle of the streets and he has made that very clear in an Open forum at Bentleigh Club last year and in every council meeting.
Why is he making a big deal with Virginia Park developments. Is it because of the involvement of the liberal government? Who does Magee work for??
March 27, 2015 at 9:30 PM
Do not listen to a word Cr. Magoo says, just wait, and watch him vote as Newton tells him to. Magoo never fails to follow the leader
March 28, 2015 at 9:33 AM
Council’s policies are inconsistent. You can argue for anything simply by listing the subset of policies that support the outcome you want. That’s what council officers do—although there is some evidence to suggest that officers and Council have never read their own planning scheme.
It’s almost pointless talking about all the inconsistencies because they have stock answers to them all: “they’re only guidelines” for example, meaning they’re irrelevant, not binding, can be ignored, open to abuse. When the state government says “Site consolidation should not result in street frontages that are out of keeping with the complexity and rhythm of existing streetscapes” we know they’re lying. The evidence is all around us.
As it happens, Council does have policy for “Minimal Change” areas. This includes “Ensure that the existing neighbourhood character and subdivision pattern are maintained by discouraging the consolidation of sites”. Of course Council is free to ignore its own policies, just as VCAT can and does.