By Callum Ludwig
At the meeting on Tuesday 14 February, Yarra Ranges Council controversially approved an unattended petrol station, car wash and dog wash at Yarratech Automotive and Tyre Services, 2420 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction.
The proposed petrol station would have six operating bowsers, new 90,000L underground fuel tanks, a two-bay car wash, vacuum bays available between 5am and 10pm and a dog wash will be available between 7am and 10pm.
A planning report prepared by Yarra Ranges Council officers resolved to refuse the application on the grounds that:
It does not provide a net community benefit or need,
Residential amenity and character would not be negatively affected,
The site is not suitable for a 24/7 service station and car wash,
The commercial needs should not replace the limited supply of housing and accommodation opportunities afforded to the local community,
It is located in a sensitive residential context that will create ongoing conflicts with residents,
It will generate unreasonable noise (day and night) and light pollution (night),
It fails to consider the retention of highly valued significant trees,
And two injections were received from the public, concerned about amenity, traffic, health, safety and no community land use need.
Director of AP Planning Annabel Paul objected on behalf of the applicant Warburton Highway Developments Proprietary Ltd at the meeting and said the site has a long history of non-residential use, with the current operator on the site for approximately 21 years.
“Prior to this business, the use was the site was used and developed for the purposes of a service station and workshops that we understand operated for approximately 20 to 30 years. Understandably, this current and former use provide my client with some comfort that the site would be suitable for his proposal,” she said.
“Yarra Junction is one of the largest townships in the municipality and does not have a service station. It will also serve a broader community in the smaller townships that don’t have a fuel service and people who would like to travel through the area.”
Gallery member Shona Smith spoke in support of the officer’s recommendation and said she believes the benefit it will bring to the community are far outweighed by the negatives.
“It will be removing high-value trees from the property, is unmanned and projected to run 24/7 with some alterations to that being car washes stopping at 10pm,” she said.
“But I believe the noise and the air pollution far outweigh the benefits that it will bring, there are petrol stations located variously along the Warburton Highway, including in Launching Place and Wesburn.”
Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Planning, Design and Development Kath McClusky then answered questions from Councillors regarding clarification on whether the proposal counts as a petrochemical facility (and if it was, whether it was subject to restrictions in proximity to the nearby Smart Reader Kids childcare centre), what the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) permit stated, whether the proposal fit the criteria of permitted use under its status as a Residential Zone One site and what measures would be put in place to reduce noise at night.
An alternative motion in favour of approving the development was moved by Yarra Ranges Council Mayor and O’Shanassy Ward Councillor Jim Child seconded by Cr McAllister.
Cr Child said that it is needed as Yarra Junction is a large Activity Centre in the municipality.
“The broader outlying communities, Powelltown, Gilderoy, Three Bridges, Gladysdale, Don Valley and Launch [Launching Place], these are the places that come to Yarra Junction to do their shopping, and other service activities,” he said.
“The only thing you can’t do there is buy a drop of fuel,”
“Well, that doesn’t achieve what an Activity Centre is about.”
Every councillor contributed to the discussion either by speaking to the alternative recommendation or by asking questions of the executive. Further points of discussion included the potential for loitering at an unattended facility at night, the potential for fumes to drift towards the childcare or the Cunningham Hotel, the need for fuel late at night and without having to travel several kilometres, passive surveillance from the police station across the road, the extent of its importance in an emergency and whether it was a case of overdevelopment all points raised.
The alternative recommendation was passed with a vote of six to three, with Chandler Ward Councillor David Eastham, Lyster Ward Councillor Johanna Skelton and Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox opposing it.
