Highett Residents' Group
[email protected] or Ph. 9532 - 2414
Welcome to the Website for the Highett Residents' Group
Highett is an attractive bayside suburb in Melbourne, Australia. This group has been formed to represent the interests of the residents of Highett
in the future evolution of their suburb.
We consider Highett to be a special place. It's bayside suburban location is increasingly attractive in a more densely populated Melbourne,
and the strong housing prices stand testimony to the value of living in a suburb that is not remote from the city nor overrun with
high density housing.
Join us in ensuring that the urban qualities established in Highett are retained.
The Highett Residents' Group is specifically addressing a number of focus issues that are of major significance with respect to the strategic planning
of Highett. As the suburb is divided between both Kingston and Bayside Councils it is important that a cohesive approach is taken to the urban planning,
independent of municipal boundaries.
Focus Issue: 2009 The need to oppose the inappropriate development of 68 - 82 Graham Road An extreme 5 storey development has been proposed for the corner of Highett and Grahan Roads. Fifty-eight units are proposed for this small site, and the building is projected to reach more than 19.5m (greater than 6 storeys!!!) . The two level underground car park will feed directly into Graham Road. This is a cronic over-development of the site and makes no account of the proposed developments in the vicinity. Please contact us or Bayside Council to register your opposition to this development.
Focus Issue: The need to oppose massive development of the combined 284 and 286 Highett Road sites The site (former Tax office building opposite the Presbyterian Church, and the RAAF site at the corner of Graham and Highett Road),
has been proposed to be redeveloped into a huge complex containing 153 Units, 534 carspaces, a supermarket and 5 shops. The development
is 16.8 metres high, which is equivalent to 5 storeys and it presents a monolithic block at a focal point of Highett.
The traffic situation in Highett and Graham Roads will become unworkable if this goes ahead, and it is an obvious clash with the Neighbourhood
Character of the area. Contact us for further details on this development/
Focus Issue: The Wooded grasslands on the CSIRO site The CSIRO site contains the last reminants of a formerly common woodlands that covered the Melbourne area. With trees that pre-date the establishment of Melbourne, it is essential that this area be preserved. The issue is being promoted by the The Friends of the Yellow Box Grasslands in Highett. The Highett Residents' Group supports this group and all actions to preserve this environmental space. You may join The Friends of the Yellow Box Grasslands in Highett, by emailing to: [email protected]
A recent environmental study has confirmed that the CSIRO green belt is of regional significance and the CSIRO
has agreed to manage the space and seek to preserve it beyond the sale of the CSIRO land.
We need to ensure that preservation of a full ecology system occurs on the site, and that it fulfills a vision
for a native environment space for the people of Highett.
Focus Issue: The potential re-development of the CSIRO site. This site will ultimately be developed. The open expanses and native vegetation
provide an excellent opportunity to form valuable open space for the Highett Community.
Why oppose inappropriate development?: Approval of a high density developments in Highett, establish a dangerous precedence for the entire suburb. Let's develop a suburb which enhances our
quality of life and remains an attractive part of the Bayside/Kingston Municipalities.
What you can do: If you are concerned about the quality of the environment in Highett, then act to make a change by: 1.) Contacting the Highett Residents' Group to support action against inappropriate development. 2.) Communicate your concern about inappropriate planning to your local politicians, by writing (by hand is best), calling, visiting or emailing. Our Local State Government MLA is Murray Thompson, Member for Sandringham in the Victorian Parliament 3.) Be involved with this Website and the Highett Residents Group by emailing or phoning your support to: [email protected] or Phone 9532-2414.
Spread the word about planning issues in the Highett community This Website represents the thoughts of citizens who are interested in ensuring that Highett develops in a manner that enhances the quality of life for
all those who live in the community, and to ensure that local developments occur in a manner that complements
The evolution of Save Our Suburbs: An extract: 'Last October (1997), the Planning and Local Government Minister, Mr Rob Maclellan, said councillors were "telling fibs" when they said
they were forced into approving new developments. The criticism stung and some councils are hitting back. Bayside Council, in Melbourne' s
inner south, has introduced 18 "local variations", which it uses to interpret the Good Design Guide. From the start of the year, the council has decided
that if any development faces even one objection, the proposal must be referred to the elected council and not left in the hands of the officers.
The mayor of Bayside, Cr Graeme Disney, said last week: " we felt for a long time that our hands were tied but that is not a good enough reply for
the residents. So we hardened our attitude ... that is what an elected council is for." Last Monday night, the council considered
27 planning applications and refused all but three.'
Issues in the future: Pressures of population movement and property investment are driving 'developers' to target Highett as a region suitable for exploitation.
Effective actions by residents in other Bayside areas have forced developers to extensively modify their plans, however these actions will indirectly
will bring further development pressure to the Highett region unless a concerted resistance is presented by residents. The Highett Residents' Group has been
formed to resist this pressure. The Highett Residents' Group needs your support to define and enact a quality urban environment in Highett.
How do I join the Highett Residents' Group ? Easy ! Contact us by email at: [email protected] Or Phone: 9532-2414 Mobile: 0402059179
