Council & Business
15 May, 2026
Housing development refused by council finds new start with State Government
Divisive community housing proposed for Maryborough’s outskirts is being considered by the State Government using an "expedited planning pathway" available to it.
Community housing proposed for Maryborough’s outskirts is now being considered by the State Government following council’s failed opposition earlier this year.
A controversial planning application for Sebastopol Road has been withdrawn by the applicant and submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning for consideration.
This follows opposition from neighbouring residents and Central Goldfields Shire Council’s refusal of the proposed development.
The application is for a 34 dwelling development for those with low to moderate incomes managed by YWCA — providers of low cost subsidised rental accommodation for women and gender diverse people and their families.
The application is now being considered by the State Government, rather than council, through the Development Facilitation Program (DFP) under “significant residential development with affordable housing” since April 23.
The DFP is a State Government initiative which aims to fast-track development using an “expedited planning pathway” for eligible homes.
This is done, in part, by taking the decision out of council’s hands and preventing decisions made by the Minister for Planning under the Victoria Planning Provisions being appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
“Any proposal will be considered on its merits — as this project is currently under assessment it would be inappropriate to comment further,” a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said.
The application was narrowly opposed by Central Goldfields Shire Council in February — a decision that didn’t last due to governance confusion.
Councillors must move an alternative motion before the vote if they wish to oppose an officer’s recommendation.
In this case no alternative motion was moved and the recommendation for approval lost so no decision was made.
The same confusion caused a planning application for a broiler farm, unanimously refused by councillors, to return in a later council meeting.
However, instead of being considered again, the local council are no longer required to make a decision on the housing proposal due to it being withdrawn.
It’s the latest development in an application which has drawn the criticism of nearby residents seen across 33 submissions and a petition with 390 signatures submitted to council.
Their concerns include the proposal’s density, bushfire risk, changes to the neighbourhood’s character, congestion, and drainage.
“I could tick 100 boxes [of concerns],” resident Jordan Cornwill said in January.
“Not enough people are listening.”
Community members will have another opportunity to have their say with public notice expected for the DFP application.
The applicant, owner and developer Justin Crameri, director of JCP Property Pty Ltd, was contacted for comment but did not address the Department of Transport and Planning application directly.
“The planned homes are affordable housing, a type of rental housing for people who are earning too much to be eligible for social housing, but who face barriers to finding a home that meets their needs. It offers eligible Victorians a high quality and secure place to live at a below market rent, ensuring they can better meet basic living costs,” he said.
“Affordable housing can provide housing options for people who work full or part-time including essential roles such as retail and hospitality workers, nurses, police officers and childcare workers.”
Pending a decision on the 34 dwelling application, the developer is still approved for a 21-lot subdivision on the same site.