Warehouse review

By Kath Gannaway
A DECISION on what type of development will be built at the gateway to Healesville is still a way off.
FNQ (Far North Queensland) Developments Pty Ltd, which owns the former Healesville Sawmills site on the corner of Maroondah Highway and Heritage Lane, is proposing a warehouse development on the high-profile site.
FNQ has lodged an Application for Review with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) following the Shire of Yarra Ranges decision to refuse a permit for the development last year.
The matter was set down for hearing in June but was adjourned following a request by FNQ which told the tribunal it needed more information in relation to the Amendment C59 which saw the Minister for Planning approved a design and development overlay over the site.
VCAT presiding member Mr S Cimino approved the adjournment on the basis that information sought under Freedom of Information by town planners Harlock Jackson acting for FNQ had been approved but had not arrived.
He accepted Virginia Jackson’s claim that the lack of information had impeded FNQ’s ability to make decisions about matters such as whether to amend its proposal or to even proceed with it at all.
The matter will come before VCAT on 1 August when, if the matter is not withdrawn by FNQ, a date will be set for a full hearing.
The proposal by FNQ is for a 16,837 square metre storage facility including 250 car spaces.
The Healesville Chamber of Commerce, local accommodation operators, neighbouring land-owners and environment groups are among objectors to the project.