Edge of dispute

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
THE company in charge of Warburton’s Edgewater development is taking the Yarra Ranges Council to mediation over a permit dispute.
The $30 million Edgewater Resort and Spa development, which has had State Government planning approval for five years, was expected to provide up to 200 ongoing jobs to the community.
The former Sanitarium factory building would include more than 100 accommodation units, a restaurant, dining rooms, a major wedding and special occasions function centre, and conference and corporate facilities.
The Crockett Group has a valid and active planning permit for the development, as well as a subdivision permit that was granted earlier this year, which allows the company to subdivide certain parts of the development.
The Crockett Group has chosen to appeal some of the conditions contained within the subdivision permit.
Crockett Group CEO Eric Sward said they were surprised at the amount and type of conditions and said “we can’t do anything until they’re resolved”.
“If we can’t agree with the council then it’s an umpire’s decision, but frankly we’re quite disappointed at the amount of time it’s taking, and the delays and costs involved,” he said.
Mr Sward said the Crockett Group was disappointed they hadn’t received any inquiries, discussion or contact from the council about the project and how it was going.
“We haven’t had contact from any local councillors with this, when Monika (Keane) was there she was always in contact about the latest happenings,” he said.
“We’re not feeling as though it’s getting enough support from the council.”
Council spokesman James Martin said many of the conditions in the subdivision permit “simply seek to tie the subdivision of the land to the approved development permit.”
“A mediation hearing is set for this week and officers are working with the applicant to reduce the points of difference,” he said.
Upper Yarra advocate Jim Child is calling for councillors to inform the Warburton community about the Edgewater development.
“I don’t see any people protesting or ‘up in arms’ about subdivision proposals for this site,” he said.
“This development is good for Warburton and the Yarra Ranges – it will provide work for locals and a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
If the Yarra Ranges Council and Crockett Group cannot come to a mutual decision at this Thursday’s mediation hearing, the case will be taken to a VCAT tribunal in January.
O’Shannassy Ward councillor Chris Templer did not return any of the Mail’s phone calls before deadline.
Back in July, Mr Templer told the Mail that the council had some concerns over the staging proposed for the development and said the council and local community needed to be comfortable about how the site would look and function if future stages were delayed or did not go ahead.