Winery cheers

By Kath Gannaway
A MINISTERIAL planning amendment to Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme has paved the way for a more than $50m expansion of Balgownie Estate in Dixons Creek.
Planning Minister Justin Madden approved the amendment C100 in December removing impediments under the state planning scheme to the green wedge development.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Planning told the Mail the minister had intervened to bring the site in line with other similar tourism facilities in the Yarra Valley which were zoned to allow for tourism activities.
She said the amendment would allow an application to be made to council for planning permission for an additional 100-room accommodation facility, a 150-seat restaurant and a function centre for up to 150 people.
Balgownie owner/director Des Forrester told the Mail he would meet with Yarra Ranges Council next Tuesday to discuss the proposal.
Mr Forrester said he had gone to the minister after Balgownie was caught up in State Government legislation introduced prior to the last election to address green wedge issues on the Mornington Peninsula.
He said advice from Yarra Ranges Council’s then CEO, Rob Hauser, and then planning manager James Lamour Reed, was that a planning application would be refused on the grounds that it would not comply with the planning scheme.
“We were caught up in that situation and I was advised the only way to rectify it was with an amendment at state level,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Council however is unhappy about the lack of consultation on the amendment and say it could open the door to other developers wanting to develop in green wedge zones.
A shire spokesman told the Mail that the first Yarra Ranges Council knew of the amendment was when it appeared in the government gazette.
Ryrie Ward councillor, Cr Jeanette McRae, in a letter to the Minster dated 1 February said the amendment had denied any public participation and demonstrated a lack of due democratic process.
She said the minister’s approach had significant implications for the long-term planning for the green wedge areas of the shire and was another example of how the State Government was bypassing local government in planning decisions.
Cr McRae said she was concerned it was a mechanism which could potentially lead to similar requests to the minister from other developers wanting to bypass existing planning controls.
The department moved to dispel those concerns last week saying Balgownie would have to apply in the usual way to Yarra Ranges Council for planning permits.
“The normal processes will apply,” the department spokesperson said. “The minister is not the responsible authority so will not ‘automatically’ be involved.
Mr Forrester said Balgownie has an excellent record of development in the Yarra Valley and was looking forward to the next phase of the Balgownie development.
“I have lodged three planning applications through Yarra Ranges Council and not had one objection because we do consult with everyone involved,” he said. “It (the amendment) is a great outcome for us and for the shire because we are now going to be able to expand to a major resort and hotel providing greater employment in the valley.”