THE president of the William Dunstan Reserve residents’ group has vowed to challenge the City of Ballarat’s decision to approve a 10-lot subdivision development for Golden Point.
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Peter Wills said he was disappointed with Ballarat councillors voting for the development following three years of community unrest about the issue.
Mr Wills said the group, Friends of William Dunstan Reserve, was investigating its legal options and planned to contest the matter at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The proposed development is in a General Residential Zone.
“There were significant holes in the council officer’s report on the matter,” Mr Wills said.
“The council said their hands were tied but, if you ask me, they were sitting on their hands and a better outcome could have been met.”
Mr Will said the council had a “moral obligation” to preserve open space for the benefit of the community.
All councillors except Cr Belinda Coates voted in favour of the proposal. The issue has spanned more than three years.
Friends of William Dunstan Reserve has fought for the land – unofficially named after the Ballarat-born Victoria Cross winner – to stay public since Sovereign Hill first listed it for sale in 2012.
Ballarat councillor Des Hudson said he sympathised with residents and admired their campaign but, as the land sat on a residential zone, it was difficult for the council to reject a planning permit because the application was in tune with the council’s planning scheme.
