‘Disgusting’: Family displaced from dream home left dumbfounded by council

A “shattered” family has ripped into Yarra Ranges Council after they were displaced from their “dream” home and can’t get approval to rebuild and move back.

Kalorama resident Natalie Guest told 3AW her family’s home was left uninhabitable after last year’s violent storms that lashed the region.

They’ve spent months and months waiting to get approval to rebuild, a permit Natalie says they never knew they’d need, which they can’t get.

“It would have been really great to know this 13 months ago,” she said.

“They’d already deemed our land uninhabitable then, but have dragged us along on this journey, which is just disgusting.”

Press PLAY below to hear her explain what the issue is

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said he “really felt” for Natalie and her family, but the site had been deemed “moderate” risk.

“We cannot allow development on that site with moderate risk,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear the Mayor’s response