We're victims of attrition

By ALISON DEAN

NORTH Fitzroy residents say they are the latest victims of "developers' games" in which new plans are repeatedly submitted in an attempt to tire the opposition.

"It is a game of attrition," Geoff Tolchard said.

Mr Tolchard is one of more than 120 people who objected to the plan for a six-storey, blue and white apartment complex at 612-620 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy, last year.

Now, 12 months and two new plans later, only 40 residents are objecting to the proposal, which has gone to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

But Mr Tolchard says it is not because residents are happier with the latest design.
"People are tired and a lot just missed the deadlines," he says.

The plan, refused by Yarra Council, was due to go to VCAT in September. But the hearing was postponed when the developers lodged new plans, reducing the building to five storeys.

The biggest "trick" came just before Christmas, Mr Tolchard said.

"The developer sent these new plans out ... the day before Christmas Eve and people had only 10 days to object ... the majority missed out on that deadline because they were away on holidays.

"The process gets hijacked."

Recently developers again submitted new plans. Residents' objections were due by yesterday (Tuesday) and the appeal is set for April. The plan includes the demolition of an 1885 building and the Woodstock pizza shop to make way for the new building.

"The building is insanely high, it is two metres away from a single-storey house and it has a screaming faﾍade of blue and white with giant crosses on the front," Mr Tolchard said.

Councils have often claimed that developers introduced new plans to VCAT in an attempt to tire opponents. A survey of 379 VCAT planning cases between October and December 2003 showed that an application to amend plans was made in 93 cases.

In 89 of the 93 cases, the application was unopposed. VCAT president Stuart Morris said the survey revealed that applications to substitute amended plans nearly always resulted in amendments that reduced the impact of the proposal.

Mr Morris said the survey showed the practice of substituting plans at the appeal stage was working satisfactorily.

Mr Tolchard: "It might be working satisfactorily for the developers but not for the residents."