Council blamed

By Kath Gannaway
O’SHANNASSY Ward candidate Chris Templer has criticised the Shire of Yarra Ranges planning department after the council refused an application in relation to his Launching Place business.
Apex Town Planning applied on behalf of Mr Templer for a site-specific provision to allow Launch Valley Farm Feed and Garden Supplies on Warburton Highway to be used for a rural supplies business.
The application was lodged after a request to rezone the site from Rural Living Zone 1 to Business Zone 1, with a view to enabling the business to operate lawfully, was abandoned.
Mr Templer bought the property 18 months ago.
He told the Mail the application was an attempt to update the original permit and to bring the activities which have been carried out on the site for the past nine years into line.
The original permit was for a nursery but over the years the business has expanded to include stock feed and other rural products.
The council heard that the amendment request was to allow the business to trade legitimately but that it was contrary to existing planning policies and strategies.
Mr Templer, however, told the Mail: “The permit itself is worded obscurely and makes a mess of the topic. They (the shire) have caused their own mess,” he said.
The council heard that a “barn” built on the site four months ago and signage erected a year ago did not have a permit.
Mr Templer, however, said permits have been applied for.
“The only reason is that it’s taken 18 months and the planning department has dragged it out,” he said.
Moving the motion to reject the application, councillor Samantha Dunn said it was clear what was intended of a business operating in a Rural Living Zone and that the current uses had an adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
“I have concerns about compliance and using this sort of amendment to legitimise those issues is not a good idea,” she said.
Councillors Graham Warren, Noel Cliff and Jeanette McRae also had concerns about non-compliance.
“This would be a slap in the face for residents and objectors who have been fighting this issue for many years and for all the other compliant businesses in the shire,” he said. “If we do that, the message is that if you keep doing something long enough, we will allow it,” Cr Warren said. Cr Monika Keane, however, supported Mr Templer’s claim that the original permit was unclear.
Her alternative motion to put the original planning application on exhibit to allow community input did not gain support. Mr Templer told the Mail he was disappointed with the decision.
“Something will be sorted out,” he said. “We have a strong business and are serving a huge customer base so I am confident we will continue to make progress.”