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A: Spacious Property Development Group. Spacious Property Development Group is headed up by a group of private shareholders with a forward-looking vision, who place an emphasis on community benefit, traditional lifestyle, and environment sustainability. The team is formed by qualified professionals with considerable Victorian experience. The senior management team have over 22 years of successful property development experience in Australia. The long-term goal of the company is building up a sustainable business model, investing more broadly and deeply into Victoria’s future, and establish a reputable brand for quality in the sector.
A: From mid-October to early-November 2023 we collected feedback, ideas, and suggestions to the ‘Response to community feedback report’ which includes a Draft Response Plan, vision statement for the site and draft street cross sections. These were developed in response to Phase One engagement results (2022) and Councillor feedback.
The key elements of the Draft Response Plan are:
- A grid street network that reflects the grid of the existing township.
- Wider streets with greater area for street planting than conventional streets in new subdivisions.
- Setbacks of housing from the street to allow for greater private front yard space, and a sense of spaciousness.
- Providing for a range of lot sizes, from smaller lots closer to the station through to 2000sqm along the southern edge.
- Recognition that the area near the Railway Station can provide space for some smaller residential lots for community members who desire greater housing choice whilst also being available for a small retail and services precinct.
- The creek corridor rehabilitated as an open space with parks and pedestrian and cycle trails connecting with the existing township and throughout the residential area.
See page 30 of the ‘Response to community feedback report’ for the draft vision statement for the site.
The Draft Response Plan does not represent a proposal, and there is no formal proposal with Council at this stage.
See the Phase two engagement report for 2023 community and stakeholder feedback on the ‘Response to community feedback report’, including the Draft Response Plan, visions statement for the site and draft street cross sections.
A: To facilitate any changes to this land, a Planning Scheme Amendment would be necessary. The Planning Scheme Amendment process is detailed below. Ultimately, it will be Council and/or the Minister for Planning’s decision as to whether a Planning Scheme Amendment can be progressed.
Following the phase 2 community engagement we plan to discuss the prospects of a planning scheme amendment process with the Council further.
A: The ‘Response to community feedback report’ conceptualises ideas, visions, and suggestions for the land shared by the community and stakeholders during Phase One engagement (2022).
The ‘Response to community feedback report’ is not a formal proposal to Council. Instead, it is intended to progress our understanding of acceptable outcomes for this land in response to community input.
See the Phase two engagement report for 2023 community and stakeholder feedback on the ‘Response to community feedback report’.
A: The Draft Response Plan visualises the ideas we heard from the community (in 2022) and Councillors regarding the potential for the land. Thus, it creates a basis to better understand the potential uses of the land and ways it can connect with the existing Riddells Creek township. It is not a development proposal or a plan for development.
See the Phase two engagement report for 2023 community and stakeholder feedback on the ‘Response to community feedback report’, including the Draft Response Plan.
A: In 2022 we spoke to the community about ideas for the land. Following this we conceptualised the ideas we heard and prepared the ‘Response to community feedback report’.
Between mid-October and early-November 2023 we asked for feedback on the Report to test if we got it right. The community’s response will help refine our thinking for the land, including our Draft Response Plan, vision statement and street cross sections.
See the Phase two engagement report for the feedback on the ‘Response to community feedback report’, including the Draft Response Plan, visions statement for the site and draft street cross sections..
We will be presenting these engagement findings to the Macedon Ranges Shire Councillors in early 2024.
Formal opportunities to share your thoughts are currently closed but if you have a question or want to get in touch with the project team, feel free to email us at info@riddellssouth.com.au or use the contact form here.
A: Outcomes from Phase two engagement (2023) will help us refine a Concept Plan as the basis for further discussions with Council regarding the future of this land.
We will be presenting the Phase two engagement findings to the Macedon Ranges Shire Councillors in early 2024.
A: Between 13 October and 8 November 2023, we sought input from the local community and stakeholders to share feedback, ideas and opinions on the ‘Response to community feedback report’, Draft Response Plan, vision statement and draft street cross sections.
This feedback will further refine a Concept Plan as the basis for further discussions with Council regarding the future of this land.
The team wants to ensure the planning process is informed by the local community’s wants and needs.
A: Whilst Spacious Group owns the largest landholding within Spacious Group (97 hectares), the remainder of the site is owned by individuals.
A: As part of the Riddells Creek Structure Plan, two areas were identified as suitable to deliver housing to support the town’s future population growth. Land south of the railway line, Riddells Creek was one of these areas, and the other was located to the north-east of the existing town (Amess Road).
The proposals for Amess Road are currently being evolved by a separate developer (not Spacious Group) and their project team.
A: Go to here for the Phase One engagement report.
Key outcomes included:
- Values of Riddells Creek: Country or rural feel, physical features of the town, and transport and connectivity
- Vision for the land south of the railway line, Riddells Creek: ‘Large’ and diverse lot sizes, Landscape and environment, and neighbourhood character.
- Community facilities: Open space and playgrounds, community-oriented facilities, health and aged care facilities, and providing space for existing groups and organisations.
- Housing types: 70% of survey respondents shared the site should provide family homes, followed by 26% stating that the site should provide a mix of housing types.
- Lot sizes: 35% of survey respondents shared the site should provide a range of lot sizes from 500m2 to 2000m2 and 26% shared there should be consistent lot sizes from 500m2 to 1000m2 (1/4 acre).
- Streetscape design: Native trees and vegetation, wide streets, houses set back further and wide nature strips
- Access and parking south of the railway station: 67% of survey respondents shared access and parking on the southern side of the railway station will somewhat or greatly alleviate car parking and traffic pressures in the existing township.
- Potential design principles: During the workshops, seven sets of design principles were shared, containing 41 individual suggestions for design principles. Most were reflected under the following themes: rural character and topography, urban design considerations, environmentally sustainable design, connectivity, and facilities and amenities.
A: Go here for the Phase Two engagement report.
Key feedback on the ‘Response to community feedback report’ included the following per theme:
- Draft vision statement for the site: General comfortability with the statement due to it addressing community concerns. There were a few additional desires and concerns shared.
- Draft Response Plan:
- Level of comfort: Overall comfort whilst a few survey respondents were uncomfortable with the proposed smaller lot sizes. There was concern for disconnection with the existing town at a drop-in event.
- Housing: General support for the proposed location of different housing lot sizes but there were diverse sentiments. Concerns were about traffic management and the impact on the look and feel of the town.
- Services Precinct: More than half of the survey respondents were comfortable with the size and location of the Services Precinct. Comments were shared about the desire for more detail, the size and location, carparking and the building and implementation of the precinct.
- Public open space and rehabilitation of the creek: High comfortability with the amount and location of public open space and rehabilitation of the creek. Shared suggestions and concerns included connections with the existing township, flora and fauna protection, amenities, and flooding.
- Street layout: The majority of participants were comfortable with the proposed street layout. Areas for further consideration and concern included traffic management, navigation and accessibility including railway crossings, housing setback distance and bushfire risk. Drop-in attendees shared comments relating to the interface with properties to the south.
- The majority of participants were comfortable with the indicative street cross sections. There was support for wider footpaths, the proposed street types, the inclusion of trees, a Riddell Road service road and a footpath on one side. There were additional comments on the inclusion and location of mixed paths, bike lanes and traffic management.
- Additional feedback, information, and concerns included preferences of amenities, information about Riddells Creek planning and topics community members wanted further information on.