It’s a wash-out

By KATH GANNAWAY
THERE were tears of joy and relief last week as residents of Healesville’s East End learnt there would be no car wash on their patch.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) quashed an appeal by Eagle Crest Pty Ltd against the council’s decision to refuse a permit for the proposed car wash on the corner of St Leonard’s Road and Walker’s Lane.
Spokesman for Eagle Crest Pty Ltd, John Gedye, told the Mail while he had “no idea” what the VCAT decision was, they had not intended to proceed with the car wash.
“We would have sold it with approval for a car wash or without,” he said on Friday evening after the Mail advised him of the outcome.
The decision followed a two-day hearing in July with VCAT member Bill Sibonis delivering an order on 24 August stating the proposed two-storey car and dog wash was not an appropriate development for the site.
Yarra Ranges Council refused the planning permit in April last year on the grounds of neighbourhood character, urban design and traffic and amenity impacts, supported by more than 80 objections.
Yarra Ranges Council defended its decision and was supported by the Healesville Chamber of Commerce and local residents opposed to the development.
Mr Sibonis said he was not persuaded by reassurances from the developer about the design and scale of the development.
“In my view, the proposed built form will be markedly at odds with the established character of this centre (the East End commercial area).
He said the development would “ … appear as an abrupt and unsympathetic termination to the row of shopfronts” and said it did not represent an acceptable entry to the commercial centre from the residential neighbourhood.
He also said the outcome would not be consistent with the policies of the relevant planning scheme.
Matt Schwab, whose home is next to the proposed site said it was a win for he and his family and families whose homes were nearby, it was also a win in terms of the needs and amenity of the town.
“There is going to be something here and hopefully it will be something that suits the environment and takes into account the closeness to the residential area of the east end and the fact that it is the northern gateway to the town,” he said.
Robyn Johnston said the decision was a fantastic result for the community.
“It says we are actually listened to when we are fighting for things for the community,” she said.
“This wasn’t fought on emotion, it was fought on planning laws, and while we felt confident, you never know for sure which way these things will go.”
VCAT looked at everything, they came and visited the site and could see what a terrible imposition that development would impose not only on this neighbourhood, but on the whole of Healesville.”
Chamber president Bruce Argyle also welcomed the decision saying while they do not want to be seen as obstructionist to business development in the town, there was a unanimous view by the business community that the proposal was inappropriate.
“Obviously this is an important site and the chamber would be happy to meet with the developer to explore other options,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Council Ryrie Ward representative Cr Jeanette McRae also hailed the decision as good for Healesville.
“It’s a great outcome for the community and for the retention of desired character,” she said.
Mr Gedye said it was ultimately the prerogative of residents to object and said he would pass on the chamber’s offer to whoever buys the site.
“This is just not a site that we need to be involved with,” he said.