By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE’S sawmill-site development has received a green-light from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), drawing controversy from community members.
The ruling on the site at 17-25 Maroondah Highway was handed down at 5.50pm on Friday 27 September, which gave developers clearance for the proposed complex at the entrance to the town.
Two fast-food outlets, a service station, car wash and epicurean centre are all part of the approved development, which will sit on the corner of Heritage Lane and Maroondah Highway.
Healesville Chamber of Commerce President Graham Taylor said the chamber was disgusted about the decision, but emphasised that the group’s stance was not anti-development.
“The reason we’re not happy with the decision is that it hasn’t been taken into account that this is a gateway entrance to the town,” he said.
“We’re not anti-development at all, and we don’t have any necessary objections to any particular business planned for the site – the whole thing is about the appropriateness of this particular development for this particular site.”
Mr Taylor’s sentiments were echoed by Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister, who said she was disappointed with the decision and that the site should have been rezoned by the previous council.
“My ultimate view is that the zoning for the site is the issue,” she said.
“The VCAT decision makes it quite clear that, for an Industrial 3 zone, it’s considered an appropriate use.
“It’s a good example of how critical getting the zoning right is, and the implications are very significant, as we have just found out.”
The proposal for a development at the site has been discussed since last year, with the Yarra Ranges Council knocking back the application in a meeting in February, as a result of numerous objections from residents and groups, including Healesville SES and Victoria Police.
Healesville Gateway Group spokesman Chris Anthony said he was disappointed with the result, but that firm conditions had been put on VCAT’s approval to address some of the objectors’ concerns.
Concerns that a McDonald’s outlet could be built at the site were addressed and dismissed by the developer last year.
The Mail attempted to contact the developer for the site, but did not get a response by deadline.
For more information on the VCAT ruling, see next week’s edition of the Mail.
