Yarra Junction locals have called on each other to object the proposed Yarra Junction Shopping Centre planning permit.
Until 14 July, the controversial planning permit is in its advertising stage – it’s now open to the public to make submissions against the permit in hopes to pressure the Yarra Ranges Council from approving it.
The calls were spearheaded by variety store Cortella, which will be booted out from the shopping centre and forced to find a new location if the permit is approved.
“Whilst we will submit all the signatures we’ve collected so far, we strongly encourage people to click the link below and put forth an objection via the Yarra Ranges Council website,” the variety store said in a Facebook post.
Those wanting to make a submission for the planning permit can do so here: shorturl.at/HcFpu.
The situation started when Cortella discovered the planning permit, submitted by retail property service provider RetPro, would see the expansion of the Woolworths swallow up the existing store and strong-arm the small business out of its home.
It sparked an uproar from the Yarra Junction community, who said the planning permit would “destroy the heart” of the town as local businesses and community spaces would be uprooted.
Clea Reynolds, owner of local variety store Cortella, started a petition opposing the changes after she found out her store was excluded in the planning permit application.
“I was a bit shocked because it wasn’t communicated to us… they had just launched it with the council,” she said.
The online petition currently has 771 verified signatures at the time of publication, an increase of 255 signatures since the Star Mail initially reported on the matter in late May.
To sign the petition, visit: chng.it/5x9s7vTrKr.
The submission allows members of the public to express their thoughts on the planning permit and can have an impact on the council’s final decision.
“This is the most crucial part of the approval process, so if you feel so inclined, now is the most important time to act and have your say,” the post read.
But, Cortella isn’t the only store affected by the proposed changes.
Also on the chopping block are cuts to parking spaces and a significant reduction of the indoor communal space.
Yarra Junction Action Group treasurer Carole Corcoran said turning the indoor community space into a small pedestrian link would “destroy the heart of Yarra Junction”.
“It would have been approximately 100 people that I spoke to, and of that 100, there was only one person only in favour of the change, the rest hated it.”
“It’s where people meet, where they make friends and chat. This community here is a very, very friendly, caring community and we do look after each other and to lose that area, the full consensus was it would be the worst thing that could happen because it’s a very unique space,” Ms Corcoran said.
It would also see the shopfronts of the remaining stores moved to the outside of the centre.
RetPro couldn’t provide a comment due to the planning permit application still being in the approval process.
Ms Reynolds said it would drastically change the character of the centre.
“I think if you come here and you see what it’s like, you will see what the community is going to miss. It’s going to really affect the atmosphere of everything,” Ms Reynolds said.
Should the proposed permit be approved, available parking spaces would be cut from 113 to 90, which includes the centre’s only emergency parking bay and one disability parking space.
For Ms Reynolds, potentially losing her place at the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre has left her feeling indignant and concerned for Cortella’s future.
“It’s just hard, I love where we are, and where we work, we’re so lucky to have the community we have,” she said.
But she’s determined to not go down without a fight.
“We’re willing to go as far as the community wants us to go.”
