M2915 - Information Request Response

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Response.
This item has been reviewed by Blackburn Jackson Design, who have prepared a revised landscape plan for Council’s
review and endorsement (refer to Attachment B). The revised design now incorporates an amended species palette,
which removes the nominated species and replaces them with species more closely aligned with Council’s, Planning
Scheme Policy No. 2.



Item 2 – Landscaping (removal and retention)
Clarification as to what existing vegetation is proposed to be removed from the site to accommodate the development
and whether this includes works in the road reserve.

Information Required
    2. Provide a survey plan having identified what species are intended to be removed and what existing species are to
       be retained.

Response
The proposed development involves removing all the site’s existing vegetation to accommodate the development. The
existing vegetation is not mapped as significant on Council’s or the State’s mapping system. It is understood that a tree
clearing application will be required to be lodged with Council prior to the commencement of the works and revised
landscape proposal is included as part of this combined MCU & OPW application. Accordingly, a detailed survey of the
site is not considered necessary.


Item 3 - Landscape calculation
The inclusion of the grassed driveway strip in the calculation of the total landscaping onsite is not considered appropriate
to include in the total calculation of landscaped areas. There is potential for the grassed landscaped area to be
compromised by vehicle manoeuvring and it is not considered that the strip contributes to the visual amenity and natural
landscape character of the site.

Information Required
       3.       Recalculate the total landscaped area and demonstrate compliance with the required 35% landscaping
       for the site.

Response
The grassed driveway strip in the centre of the main access driveway proposes to include Atlantis (or similar) turf cell,
which are specifically designed to be a pervious surface that allows rain water penetration and enables vehicle
movements without adversely affecting the grass. It is also considered that the landscape strip will also contribute to
visually softening the concrete driveway when viewed from the street. Accordingly, we are of the view that the grassed
driveway strip should be recognised as part of the overall landscape calculations, because the strip will be pervious
surface and will contribute to the amenity of the site. This is consistent with the landscape definitions as reproduced
below. The revised landscaping total complies with the relevant Acceptable Outcome A010.2, which stipulates a
minimum 35% of the site area to be landscape area and 60% of this must consist of soft landscaping.

Accordingly, the revised development layout and landscape calculation plan (refer to Attachment A) clearly
demonstrate compliance with AO10.2.




JFP Ref: M2915P                                                                                                 Page 2