Gerald Lynch
Five Jacana residents have fronted a Hume council meeting to express their concerns about a proposed seven-bedroom dwelling on Sunset Boulevard.
Council received an application for the double-storey development at 70 Sunset Boulevard, which has one existing dwelling.
Debby Stockdale, who lives opposite the address, was one of five residents in attendance at council’s April 29 meeting. She said while she understands the need for affordable housing, she doesn’t think it is the right place to build a dwelling of its size.
“A seven-bedroom dwelling at the back of the current residence, that’s not a standard normal everyday home,” she said.
“What provisions will be in place to stop it from being utilised unofficially as a boarding home? … That’s one of my concerns.”
She has further concerns about the dwelling only having two or three parking spots, meaning other vehicles are likely to crowd the street. She said garbage trucks are struggling to travel through Sunset Boulevard and the adjacent Bannister Street.
Another resident in Sunset Boulevard, Bernadene Cilia, was worried about the parking situation.
“I can barely get my car out of the driveway as it is, I have to stop my car and go knocking on doors to find who has parked over our driveway,” she said.
“I don’t condone this build to go ahead.”
Kellie Haroa also lives in the street, and said it cannot fit any more cars.
“I have had to replace three of my wing mirrors when I have parked on the street,” she said.
Councillor Joseph Haweil said he can empathise with the residents and understands the difficulty and concerns.
Hume councillors voted to defer the decision to allow council officers to further investigate the issues and the eligibility of a permit to build the dwelling, and it will return in a future council meeting.
