Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
6 Tuesday, 12 December, 2017
Restrictions to start
3
A Mail News Group publication
Fatal crash charges
26-27
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Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Up, up and away Evelyn candidate Bridgette Vallence took to the skies to inspect the flood damage in the Yarra Ranges from the December storms. See full update on storms on page 5. Ms Vallence is pictured with Yarra Valley Aviation pilot, Graham Bunn. 175957 Picture: ROB CAREW
Burn on beeches A last-minute proposal to remove 13 of the 22 beech trees that comprise the Avenue of Beeches in Sherbrooke has added further fuel to the fire over an ongoing planning dispute. On the eve of an independent planning panel meeting, regarding a proposal to redevelop the iconic Burnham Beeches estate, communitywatchers of the project expressed dismay at the additional proposal to lop the trees to enable road widening and driveway works. The owners of the Sherbrooke site, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett and business partner Adam Garrison, are seeking to significantly redevelop the site, including the restoration of the Norris Building. However, objectors to the latest proposal say the trees are synonymous with the region and need to be retained. Among the objectors to speak in front of the
panel on Thursday 7 December was resident Melissa Hepworth. “These trees are the most photographed part of the landscape ... they’re what makes Sherbrooke,” she said. “These very trees, the beech trees, are what Burnham Beeches is named after ... is it worth restoring the Norris Building if it’s detrimental to the rest of the amenity in the area? “I had a vision too when I moved to Sherbrooke 22 years ago. I hope their vision doesn’t destroy my vision.” Ms Hepworth also commented on reports of helicopters landing on the site. “Why haven’t they applied for a helipad? Probably because they don’t want to rock the boat any further regarding their application,” she said. Mr Bennett and Mr Garrison are seeking permission to develop the site to include a residential hotel, additional restaurant in the
piggery building, a brewery with food and drink areas, shop with food and drink areas, two small staff accommodation buildings, intersection works at the Sherbrooke Road entrance and vegetation removal. The proposal was exhibited in 2016 and received 93 submissions, including from Parks Victoria, the managers of the adjacent Alfred Nicholas Gardens, which expressed strong support. Most of the 86 submissions were overwhelmingly critical and highlighted the effect on safety in the event of a bushfire for residents and visitors, and inadequate response to heritage values, traffic and parking, environmental and landscape impacts, excessive scale and inadequate application information. The panel hearing took place over 4, 5, and 7 December, in front of panel members Lester Townsend, Peter Edwards and Natasha Reifschneider.
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A representative for the developers, as well as Yarra Ranges Council representatives, was also in attendance. The panel hearing gave the opportunity for both sides to put forward there position to the panel, which will prepare their recommendations in coming weeks. Among those addressing the panel was Betty Marsden from Save the Dandenongs League, as well as community members Jacqui Wicks, Peta Freeman and Kathryn Nauta. Ms Marsden said Save the Dandenongs League had fought similar battles before and that she had a deep connection with the site. She recalled walking the site when just nine years old, during the World War II era. Ms Nauta expressed disappointment over a plan that would see Burnham Beeches patrons be permitted to use the Alfred Nicholas Gardens entrance. Continued page 3
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