By Kath Gannaway
THE developer whose controversial application for a car wash in Healesville’s East End, which was rejected by Yarra Ranges Council, will challenge the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
He has also hit back at the council’s attempt to have a house on the proposed site heritage listed in an attempt to stop its removal or demolition.
More than 80 objections were lodged and 775 people signed a petition against the development proposed by Eagle Crest Pty Ltd.
The council refused a planning permit for the two-storey car wash on the corner of St Leonard’s Road and Walkers Lane on several grounds including neighbourhood amenity, noise, light, smell, fumes, unsafe traffic movements and bad design.
The developer told the Mail he still hoped to build a car wash there, but repeated earlier claims that he is prepared to look at other options.
“We want to explore possibilities for that site and we’re very open to other people’s opinions,” he said, but added that no-one, from Yarra Ranges Council or the community had contacted him to make any suggestions.
The Mail reported on 4 October that the developer was looking at two alternative options – a retail/accommodation development and a childcare centre.
“We have very little option but to continue down the path of the car wash.
“We are just following the course we said we would.
“At VCAT, the arbitrator will make a decision on the application based on its merits, not on emotion,” he said.
He said Yarra Ranges Council’s bid to place a heritage listing on the house on one of the three parcels of land which make up the site had failed and told the Mail the house would be removed “in the foreseeable future”.
Yarra Ranges Council has confirmed that the house has been assessed as not having heritage values.
No date has been set for the VCAT hearing as yet.
