New development encouraged

THREE new Robinvale dwellings have been approved for development at 33 Latje Road, with Swan Hill Rural City councillors encouraging similar developments in the area.

The current site, on the corner of Latje Road and Robin Street, is proposed to be demolished with three “modest” units to be constructed.

One objection to the permit was submitted, citing concerns over potential asbestos, dust suppression and noise arising from demolition.

Director of development and planning Michelle Grainger said these concerns fell under the remit of building regulations and were not issues for council consideration.

Councillor Terry Jennings said the approval was a positive outcome for Robinvale.

“There’s so much conversation around housing, affordable housing, and the lack of housing across all municipalities,” he said.

“This development aligns with our objectives; there were some concerns raised and been addressed.

“It will have a positive impact on supporting housing in an established area, noting that there is a recognised shortage.”

Cr Les McPhee said council welcomed diversity of housing in the area.

“Any development like this is great… these are smaller units close to facilities, an ideal location for that,” Cr McPhee said.

“It’s about giving people a choice and certainly (we) encourage this sort of development in the future.”

Cr Philip Englefield said “hopefully we see a lot more of them.”

The objector also raised the issue of car parking, with council stating the proposed development provides car parking in accordance with the requirements of the planning scheme.

However, the objector cited car parking was “already poor due to… the number of occupiers in existing dwellings”.

Council have long claimed that the population in Robinvale is more than double the officially recognised number.

An independent population study commissioned by council in 2019 found the average population to be 7900.

Two years later, the 2021 census recorded the population of Robinvale to be 3740.

The 2019 study, prepared by Geografia, was primarily based on bank transaction data and water usage.

“The bank data method identified non-resident cardholders regularly purchasing goods and services in Robinvale, which suggests they were present regularly throughout the year,” the report stated.

“The water data method used aggregated residential water consumption, and a State Government estimate of typical rural per capita consumption to estimate the true population.”