Brandon Park Secondary College site could be home to four-storey residential development

Posted to Waverley Leader (9/3/2013) on 13/3/2013 at 12:27 PM
Comment on "Former Brandon Park Secondary College site could be home to four-storey residential development"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/former-brandon-park-secondary-college-site-could-be-home-to-four-storey-residential-development/story-fngnvlxu-1226592463666

Hadn't the former school created more traffic congestion than a 4-storey development?

Whether it is going to be a school, medium density dwelling development, business use or community multi-purpose building, we must understand the demographics of Brandon Park better. It is nice to have schools close to where the students reside, but then are the other schools in the area fully utilised? Holmesglen and Chisholm TAFEs are accessible by buses, and there are enough schools in the region. Be mindful of economy of scale.

There are times Brandon Park Shopping Centre carparks are seemingly full, but I can always find a space. Just have a look at the commercial building next to the shopping centre; there are still floors of unoccupied office space.

If a four-storey development is permitted, I can foresee Centro will apply permit for an extension of the shopping centre to go up to four storeys as well.
Property prices around Brandon Park have gone up leaps and bounce since the region was rezoned as Wheelers Hill. Further rezoning can only be a bonanza to the existing property owners.

Land is a scarce resource. I hope that there is balance of dwelling and recreational use of the site.

Last part of Blackburn North orchard sells for nearly $6m, set for development

Posted to Whitehorse Leader (13/3/2013) on 13/3/2013 at 11:18 AM
Comment on "Last part of Blackburn North orchard sells for nearly $6m, set for development"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/last-part-of-blackburn-north-orchard-sells-for-nearly-6m-set-for-development/story-fngnvlxu-1226595589440

It is understandable that we can't stop development, but unnecessary clearing of land and removal of lawn from front and backyards are causing floods in certain areas, but drought in other.

It is almost laughable that many new dwellings are given good star rating for carbon neutral, but most parts of the compound of the dwellings are concreted which in fact are a contributing factor that causes other environmental problem.

Since grass and trees absorb carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen due photosynthesis, it is important that each household should be mindful when they build or landscape their garden.

I hope that building codes for domestic and commercial buildings are changed in future to ensure a balance of build-up and green vegetation areas. It may sound dictatorial but large area of artificial lawn or concreted areas should not be allowed in order to avoid degradation of water content in soil due to lack of water penetration.

The concrete jungle of high density living like the City creates wind tunnels and well paved roads behave like water carriageway. Without grass or rough surfaces, speed of water flow cannot be slowed down. Furthermore, sealed surfaces stop water being absorbed as the water flows pass, thus compounding the problem.