By KATH GANNAWAY
Heritage building resort development given more time…
THE developers behind Edgewater Resort in Warburton have been granted an extension of time to bring permits in line with current planning controls, and to complete the project.
Planning & Property Partners, acting for owner Edgewater Enterprises Pty Ltd applied for extensions in relation to the use and development of the land, and subdivision.
The original permits go back to 2005, with the former Sanitarium Foods Factory earmarked for accommodation and conference facilities.
The current plans see the heritage building as the centrepiece of a wine and food centre, resort and spa complex with separate apartment buildings located to the east and west.
O’Shannassy Ward representative Cr Jim Child argued passionately against the Planning Department recommendation to refuse the extensions, moving a successful motion to allow more time for what the council heard was a complex project that had come up against numerous obstacles to a timely completion.
The officer’s report argued that there had been changes to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, including the introduction of the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), and said the extension request did not give the council an opportunity to revisit or reconsider any of the issues granted.
Town Planning consultant Paul Little who represented Edgewater said however the BMO was the only change and that they had the support of the CFA.
He refuted the officer’s assessment that little had been done on the building, saying the vast majority of the steel-frame windows had been completed and said Edgewater managing director Garry Crockett was committed to delivering the project to Warburton.
In moving for the extensions, Cr Child said he took note of the concerns of fellow councillors in relation to the length of time the project had been in the system and the ability of the developer to comply with the BMO.
“I believe that the applicant is well on the way to fulfilling those requirements for the (BMO) amendment and there is a tremendous body of work being done to achieve that defendable space in relation to the CFA requirements,” he said.
Mr Crockett told the Mail they were thankful for the leadership Cr Child had taken, saying it could very well have been a different outcome.
He said the extended times, which include a completion date for the project of 23 December 2016, would be tight.
“It will be difficult, but we are committed to doing everything we can,” he said.
“The really positive thing is we have now brought all the various government departments and interest groups together for the first time and they have been able to give us a clear way forward which we didn’t have before,” he said.
Cr Child said it was now up to Edgewater to come through with substantial works.
“I would not like to be back in council in December 2016 in the same position,” he said.
“Part C of that recommendation says it clearly. Any further extension would be relying on substantial works having been achieved,” he said.
