Councillors reject Phar Lap tree proposal

A City of Greater Geelong planning committee have unanimously knocked back a senior city officer’s proposal to subdivide his property tonight, due to concerns of potential conflicts of interest and impact on neighbourhood character.

The City of Greater Geelong’s city services director Guy Wilson-Browne had applied to subdivide a property at 7-8 Oakwood Ridge, St Albans Park into two separate lots, with the plan drawing 45 objections and a petition of 1,136 signatures earlier this year, and also earning Heritage Victoria recognition.

During questioning from councillors and following accusations of bias from objectors at Thursday night’s meeting, officers repeatedly indicated that the council had followed due process in assessing the proposal and recommending to approve it.

While councillors indicated there was no evidence of wrongdoing in the process, it said the city must reject the idea to avoid any suspicion that would undermine the decision’s integrity.

“The issue is about probity and how this looks. I think it needs to be decided by VCAT… I can’t support it,” Cr Ron Nelson said.

Cr Jim Mason agreed: “When we talk about probity it’s not just about justice being done, it’s about justice appearing to be done. [The decision] should be made at arm’s length.”

A motion moved by Cr Stephanie Asher refused the permit due to it not following a covenant applied to the area protecting low-density living, and due to “not [being] reflective of the subdivision pattern in the area”.

Wednesday, October 26: GEELONG councillors will this week decide on a proposal to subdivide a St Albans property that includes horse burial sites linked to racing icon Phar Lap, with officers recommending to approve the project.

The City of Greater Geelong’s planning committee will meet tomorrow (Thursday, October 27) to decide on the application that drew 45 objections and spurred a petition signed by 1,136 opponents of the idea.

Conjecture centres around a significant tree on the property that dates back to the area’s use as the St Albans’s Park Horse Stud.

The tree is believed to mark the burial place of a host of legendary horses, including Phar Lap’s stablemate Freeman and Melbourne Cup winner Briseis.

Objectors fear the construction of underground infrastructure such as for drainage and sewerage at the property could disturb the burial sites and severely affect the site’s heritage value.

Neighbours are also concerned approval of the subdivision would undermine a covenant that has applied to properties in the area since the former stud was subdivided in the 1990s, which is intended to protect low-density living in the suburb.

Heritage Victoria listed the property as a significant archaeological site in July following a campaign from community members, recognising it by its local nickname of “the Phar Lap tree”.

While the listing doesn’t rule out a subdivision, it requires a proponent to receive state permission before any associated ground works.

City officers argue in their recommendation that heritage management is outside of its jurisdiction and that any related problems would be a matter for the applicant and state authorities.

The city report also claims that creation of one additional housing lot would help “provide a diversity of lot sizes to accommodate the varying housing needs of the community”.