More units for central Sunbury

Cr Adem Atmaca

Ten double-storey buildings will be built on two lots in central Sunbury after Hume council granted a planning permit last week.

The application by a private developer prompted one objector to question whether it was time for Sunbury’s town centre plan, prepared in 2008, to be reviewed.

Councillors heard the lots, at 40-42 Barkly Street, were in a desirable location within 300 metres of the Village Green and 400 metres of the train station.

Sunbury’s Sam Rush said that as a resident who had watched the town’s growth over 30 years, he fully expected the vacant site would be developed.

But he was concerned that with other developments in the street already in the pipeline, there would soon be 20-plus units ‘‘cheek to jowl’’.

A report to the council showed there was a current planning permit for six double-storey buildings on an adjoining property to the south.

However, Cr Adem Atmaca said councillors could only deal with the matter before them.

‘‘There’s a very long list of conditions,’’ he said. ‘‘[The application] seems to fit within that commercial zone.’’

Cr Jack Medcraft told the meeting he was satisfied that conditions relating to construction and landscaping would ensure the area’s character was not adversely affected.