23 JUNE 2021 | ISSUE 477 | FREE
WWW.GONAGAMBIE.COM.AU
Photographed by: Chris Pinner
Strathbogie Shire Council has voted against the $30 million proposal for a tourist park at Kirwans Bridge At a meeting on Tuesday, June 15, Strathbogie Shire Council refused the application for the camping and caravan park on the grounds it had "failed to adequately address the potential environmental impacts" of the proposed development. The $30 million development application for a state-of-the-art “family park” on the Goulburn River, near Kirwans Bridge was submitted by Spiire for Parklea Pty Ltd. The planning application for the development has been appealed to VCAT by the developer based on a lapse of the time period for the shire to decide on the application within the
prescribed 60-day period. Even though VCAT is now the decision maker, Strathbogie Shire Council were still required to form a view on the merits of the application. The application was advertised, and 1177 objections were received. The park development proposes 215 cabins, 57 camper sites, a function centre and boat ramps on the waterfront of Kirwans Bridge. The application was referred to the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA), Goulburn Murray Water, Goulburn Valley Region Water Corporation, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), AusNet Electricity Services (AusNet) and Taungurung Land and Waters Council (Taungurung). All authorities have provided conditional consent to the proposal, subject to the inclusion of planning permit conditions. The application was referred internally to the Council's Asset department and Environmental Health Officer. Neither objected to the proposal. The Assets department has provided conditional consent, whilst Council’s EnvironmentalHealth Officer offered no conditions due to the proposal
including connection to reticulated sewer and water services to the site. The proposal is considered to meet the objectives of the Planning Policy Framework, Local Planning Policy Framework, the Farming Zone, Overlays and relevant particular provisions. The Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Councillor Raeburn and Deputy Mayor, Melanie Likos were not present at the meeting. Strathbogie Shire Council voted unanimously to refuse the application for the use and development of the land for a Camping and Caravan Park. “The permit application has failed to adequately address how the proposed development . . will not have unacceptable impacts on the environment,” the motion read. “The permit application fails to . . . provide adequate provision for transport connectivity . . . to Nagambie . . . and the benefit of the proposed development to the Nagambie community.” Strathbogie Shire acting mayor Laura Binks said councillors were "concerned" the permit application hadn't considered the potential environmental impacts of the development.
“And we are not satisfied with the provision for transport connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists to Nagambie,” she said. VCAT has ordered an initial conference for August, with a hearing to take place in October.