Kingston calls for Minister to intervene regarding Endeavour Cove

Overhead view of the residential area and marina at Endeavor Cove in Patterson Lakes.

Kingston Council is urgently requesting the Victorian Minister for Planning, The Hon Lizzie Blandthorn MP, intervene and ‘call in’ and refuse a planning application at Endeavour Cove in Patterson Lakes.

It involves an application for a 10-storey building and a reduction in the number of parking spaces required for the proposed development at 64 Pier One Drive that is listed for consideration at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing in September.

Mayor Steve Staikos said there are significant inconsistencies between the application and Council’s intended Planning Scheme Amendment for the Endeavour Cove precinct.

“We lodged amendment requests for both the interim and permanent Planning Scheme Amendment Controls with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in February this year, following public consultation,” Cr Staikos said.

“Since that time, our officers have continued to provide all the information the Department has requested, but unfortunately we are yet to receive approval for either the interim controls or the ability to exhibit the permanent controls.

“Without the interim controls in place, this leaves the prospect of a potentially expensive, time consuming and frustrating VCAT hearing, which is clearly not in the best interests of the community.

“It is extremely important that the Minister now exercises her powers to approve the interim controls to establish clarity and certainty moving forward for all involved.”

The proposed Planning Scheme Amendment addresses sensitive issues such as parking, height controls and overall development outcomes.

“We have responded following our own internal review of the planning matters at Endeavour Cove, which preceded a review by the Victorian Ombudsman, and it is now urgent that the Victorian Planning Minister act by introducing the interim controls to ensure the integrity of the planning system is maintained,” Cr Staikos said.

Further information and updates, including progress on the interim and permanent planning controls, will be shared following further consideration by the Minister.

Interested members of the community can register for Endeavour Cove draft planning scheme updates.

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