Ferntree Gully set to welcome new nine-bedroom rooming house under planning guidelines

Knox Council has approved a nine-bedroom rooming house in Ferntree Gully, arguing the application met the government regulations.

🏡 What is a rooming house? Also known as a boarding house, a rooming house is a dwelling where one or more rooms are for rent for a lower individual cost than a unit or apartment.

🏘️ Local character vs planning rules: Last June, Knox Council received a planning permit application for the construction of a rooming house at 6 Margot Street in Ferntree Gully, including nine bedrooms over a 299-square-metre dwelling.

• The council received 44 objections to the application, with submitters airing a range of concerns, including fears the development would lead to an increase in the crime rate.

👍 Green light given: On Monday, Knox Council approved the application – eight votes to one.

• Knox councillor Meagan Baker put forward an alternative motion to refuse the application, claiming the application failed to meet a number of planning guidelines and was “not considered to be respectful of the…Bush Suburban character”. This motion was defeated – with councillor Baker the only supporting vote.

• Councillor Peter Lockwood said the motion sought council to “make a political decision based on objections”, which would likely lead to an appeal at VCAT which would overturn council’s decision.