I am a resident of the Clonburris SDZ area [Personal Information Redacted] and wish to make a submission on the Proposed Material Amendment. My comments are based on lived experience of the first occupied phases of this development and highlight critical gaps between the planning assumptions and on-the-ground reality.
1. Parking Provision – Misalignment with Infrastructure Delivery
The Planning Scheme promotes reduced car dependency and lower parking provision, which is appropriate in principle. However, in practice, this approach is being implemented ahead of the delivery of viable public transport alternatives.
In Seven Mills and surrounding developments:
Existing parking provision is already insufficient for residents and visitors
Overspill parking is occurring within estates and surrounding roads
Households remain reliant on private cars due to limited and inconsistent public transport
This reflects a clear sequencing issue: car restraint policies are being applied before the enabling infrastructure is in place.
Amendment Requested:
Introduce a phased parking strategy linked directly to public transport delivery milestones, including:
A minimum baseline parking provision for early phases of development
A mechanism to review and adjust parking standards every 2–3 years
Flexibility for interim measures (e.g. controlled visitor parking, temporary allocation adjustments)
A requirement that there is at least one parking space per dwelling and sufficient visitor parking provision at all times, including after full public transport delivery
This would ensure that parking policy aligns with actual transport availability rather than projected future capacity.
2. Public Realm Waste Infrastructure – Absence of Basic Facilities
There is currently a complete lack of public waste bins within Seven Mills and surrounding areas. While private waste collection is in place at a household level, this is not sufficient to support the wider public realm.
In addition:
There are no general waste bins, recycling bins, or dog waste bins in public areas
Litter is accumulating in public spaces and is frequently blown across the development due to wind exposure
Dog fouling is becoming an increasing issue
There is an ongoing lack of clarity regarding responsibility, with the management company, developer, and local authority each deferring responsibility to one another, resulting in no effective provision or maintenance
The Planning Scheme refers to high-quality public realm but does not include clear, enforceable requirements for waste infrastructure. This is a significant omission.
Amendment Requested:
Include a mandatory requirement for public waste infrastructure within all residential phases, specifying:
Installation of general waste, recycling, and dog waste bins
Maximum spacing intervals (e.g. every 100–150 metres along key pedestrian routes and open spaces)
Clear assignment of responsibility for provision and ongoing maintenance to a single accountable party
Without this, the quality and usability of public spaces will continue to degrade.
3. Public Transport – Delivery Delays and Lack of Interim Solutions
The Planning Scheme relies heavily on future public transport improvements, including enhanced rail and BusConnects services. However:
These improvements are not yet fully operational
Timelines extend several years into the future
Existing services do not meet the needs of current residents
This creates a situation where:
Residents are expected to rely less on cars
But do not have realistic alternatives available
There is currently no guarantee of minimum service levels at the point of occupancy.
Amendment Requested:
Introduce a requirement that residential occupation is linked to the delivery of adequate public transport services, including:
Minimum bus service frequency standards prior to or concurrent with occupancy (e.g. 10–15 minute peak service)
Provision of interim or temporary bus routes/shuttle services where permanent infrastructure is delayed
Clear commitments that public transport delivery will not significantly lag behind residential occupation
This would ensure that sustainable transport objectives are supported by actual service provision.
4. Wind and Litter Management (Supporting Measure)
The design of new developments within the SDZ creates wind-exposed corridors which exacerbate litter dispersion. This is already evident in occupied areas.
Amendment Requested:
Require a wind mitigation and public realm maintenance strategy, including:
Design measures to reduce wind tunnelling effects
Regular street cleaning schedules
Integration with waste infrastructure provision
5. Connectivity Across the Railway Corridor
The Clonburris SDZ is physically divided by the railway corridor, which represents a significant barrier to movement between the northern and southern parts of the development.
The Proposed Material Amendment documentation, including updated Planning Scheme chapters, does not clearly set out:
The number of vehicular crossings across the railway corridor
The capacity of these crossings
The phasing or delivery timing of these connections relative to residential occupation
Given the scale of development proposed, this lack of clarity raises concerns that:
Vehicular movement may be concentrated on a limited number of access points
There may be insufficient network resilience
Congestion risks at key junctions are not fully addressed
Amendment Requested:
A clearly defined vehicular connectivity strategy across the railway corridor
Confirmation of number, capacity, and delivery timing of crossings
A requirement that connectivity infrastructure is delivered in line with development phasing
Ongoing monitoring of traffic performance
Conclusion
The issues outlined above are not theoretical—they are already affecting residents in completed phases of the SDZ. The current amendment does not sufficiently address the gap between planned infrastructure and lived reality.
If Clonburris is to succeed as a sustainable and high-quality urban environment, it is essential that:
Infrastructure delivery is aligned with occupation
Basic public amenities are not overlooked
Early residents are not disproportionately impacted by delayed services
I urge the Council to incorporate the amendments proposed above to ensure that future development is both sustainable in principle and functional in practices