Mountain Views
Mail Covering the foothills of the Yarra Ranges & Murrindindi Shires
7 Tuesday, 1 August, 2017
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Harvest of votes The Victorian Coalition Shadow Cabinet descended on Healesville on Monday 31 July, as part of its ongoing meetings with communities across rural and metropolitan Victoria. Community leaders and the Yarra Ranges Council executive and councillors were among the attendees. See full story page 2. Pictured are State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish speaking about local issues with Elise Le Nevez from Healesville Harvest cafe. 171136 Pictures: PETER DOUGLAS
Garden’s got to go like a basement and it’s not working architecturally ... it’s a mishmash,” resident Shann O’Grady said. “Get rid of the rooftop and instead of it being an amenity issue on Healesville, people (apartment residents) can go out and use the public spaces, cafes and parks that are close by. “We’re not afraid of contemporary building, but we want quality building.” Business owner Tim Peel said if the application went through it could set a precedent that could be fatal for the town. “If you are going to bring something to the community that steps outside of boundaries to such an extent, you’re not listening enough,” he said. Gary Christie, another business owner, spoke up for the design, saying it appeared to be a good mix reflecting
other buildings on the main street. “I believe it would be a good look for the town,” he said. Mr Bird responded to what were at times brutal assessments of the design and scale of the building, saying it was a unique site with a substantial fall from the highway frontage to River Street at the rear which accounted for the above recommended height. He said there were a number of elements that were included specifically to reflect some of the town’s existing character buildings, but that he had commissioned a local artist to look at some aspects that he was also not happy with. Council planner Manjusha Pitty told the meeting the applicant had a week to advise council if he wanted to make changes in response to the concerns raised at the meeting.
“If that’s the case I will then assess those changes to sum up whether they are minor, or major changes,” she said. Major changes to the project could trigger starting the application process again, including formal advertising and consultation, potentially delaying the project for months and leaving open the possibility of new objections. She said if no major changes were made, the application would be assessed and a recommendation made for a decision by council. People who made a submission in writing would be notified, she said. Submissions can be made on the application up until the time a decision is made by council. The application can be viewed, and submissions made via yarraranges.vic. gov.au ePlanning. Search by application number YR2016/1275.
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‘Get rid of the roof garden’ was just one suggestion put to the developer of a $4.4million retail/apartment complex proposed for Healesville’s main street. The suggestion came from objectors to the development which, if approved, would see a four-storey building abutting the proposed Aldi store at Healesville’s west end, and running through from Maroondah Highway to River Street at the back. Owner/developer, Healesville resident Wayne Bird, was joined by Michael Hales a director of Miller Merrigan town planners, people who had made a submission to Yarra Ranges Council, Yarra Ranges Council’s major development team and Ryrie Ward Cr Fiona McAllister for a public consultation meeting on Thursday, 27 July at
The Memo Hall. Overwhelmingly, the proposed height of the building, at one point more than twice council’s Design and Development Overlay (DDO) recommended 7.5 metres, was the main concern of objectors. The design of the building also came under fire with a number of people describing it as a ‘mishmash’ of styles. Concerns were raised about removal of trees on River Street, car parking, signage, potential light and noise issues from the rooftop entertainment area, and the expanse of wall which would greet motorists coming into the town. “What I can see here is a lot of hard work and a lot of ideas, but the different elements are not matching up. “You have a '70s-style front and down the side something that just looks
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By Kath Gannaway