Bid to save ‘green’

By KATH GANNAWAY
THE Healesville community will have a chance to voice its views on a proposal to re-zone vacant land in the centre of Healesville with council opting to ask for an independent panel to review the controversial re-zoning proposal.
Yarra Ranges Council is seeking a Planning Scheme Amendment for the VicTrack-owned land which abuts the River Street car park and has become, over the years, regarded by many in the community as communal open space.
The council’s proposal would see 9 Green Street rezoned from Public Use Zone 4 – Transport to Business Zone 1 with both design and development and environmental audit overlays.
The re-zoning is required, according to Yarra Ranges’ planning department, to facilitate the sale and commercial development of the site.
The land was not included in a recent land deal which involved Yarra Ranges Council swapping council-owned land in Mooroolbark for parcels of VicTrack-owned land in Healesville.
The Healesville Action Group is opposed to the rezoning and want the land, colloquially known as Town Green, to be purchased by the council to remain in public use.
HAG spokesman John Anwin took the opportunity of council’s motion for an Independent Panel to argue against the proposed C108 Amendment.
He first took issue with the officer report which listed 28 submissions opposing the amendment saying it did not take into account the 48 written comments attached to the HAG submission.
“Those comments were written by residents who were standing in the rain at the HAG Sunday market stand,” he said adding “they deserve the same consideration and acknowledgement as any formal submission … perhaps more!”
He said many residents don’t have the expertise or experience in writing a formal submission.
Mr Anwin claimed his discussions with VicTrack had indicated they are not proposing to sell the land but are prepared to sell it to the council under what he said were “very favourable payment terms”.
“If VicTrack is happy for the land to remain as is, in whose real interest is the proposed rezoning to Business 1?” he asked.
Mr Anwin called on the council to start negotiations with VicTrack aimed at rezoning the land to public open space and paving the way for council to purchase it.
Bosco Johnson representative Lester Tricky who prepared the amendment for VicTrack said however the land had never been public open space and that it was railway land which was surplus to VicTrack’s requirements.
“Rezoning must occur before VicTrack are able to sell,” he said.
He argued redevelopment of the site for shops and restaurants would encourage the development of Green Street as a lively shopping and entertainment area.
Ryrie Ward representative councillor Jeanette McRae moved the motion saying an independent panel would allow everyone to put forward their views.
Cr Higgins encouraged residents to speak up if a panel hearing was held.
Cr Heenan, however, said looking at the objectors’ concerns he felt Healesville had what it need.
“Just because the main street is always full, the cafes and specialty shops utilised doesn’t mean we have to have more of the same,” he said.