A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision that overruled Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s position on a Kyneton development will see an urban commercial precinct built on the outskirts of town.
The first stage of works will soon begin on the development of a $100M service station and retail precinct at Edgecombe Road.
Located 1km from the town centre, the 62ha multi-stage ‘Cornerstone: Kyneton’ precinct will include large-format retailers, commercial warehouses, entertainment venues, a fuel station and food and beverage operators.
The developer, Goldfields, said the investment would provide a solid boost to the local economy, the community’s rates base and the region’s jobs market.
“Stage 1 alone will create over 200 permanent and casual jobs once the new operators begin trading. Additionally, it is estimated to generate 75 local construction jobs,” said managing director, Marco Gattino.
“Early interest in Cornerstone: Kyneton has been extremely strong with Bunnings, McDonalds, Supercheap Auto, Petstock, KFC, 7 Eleven, and Shine Station Carwash taking up major tenancies in the new precinct.”
‘DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS’
VCAT approved the development in 2022 despite Macedon Ranges Shire Council advising the tribunal it would have rejected the proposal for its “detrimental amenity impacts, poor design and interface with its surrounds, inadequate landscaping, and a poor layout for pedestrians within the car parking and access areas”.
The tribunal determined the development to be an appropriate addition to Kyneton’s northern industry and commercial precinct.
However, the application had attracted hundreds of objections and saw the formation of an 830-strong lobby group ‘Keep Kyneton Country’.
Kyneton resident Lindy Priest said the VCAT decision was wrong from an environmental, economic and tourism perspective.
“It’s not the reputation Kyneton needs or wants,” she said.
“We need to talk about how we can strengthen Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s planning policy so we don’t get walked over.”
In 2021, Goldfields Group hired independent consultant JWS Research to conduct a survey of 399 Kyneton residents. The results found 77 per cent supported the Bunnings proposal, 76 per cent supported the proposed service centre and 66 per cent supported the proposed fast food restaurant.
‘ECONOMIC GROWTH CORRIDOR’
Goldfields general manager of retail, Hugh Doyle, said about 10,000 vehicles would pass the Cornerstone: Kyneton intersection daily placing the precinct “at the heart of the region’s booming economic growth corridor”.
“Cornerstone: Kyneton will provide new opportunities for local retailers seeking high-end amenity alongside major brand retailers with strong destination shopping exposure,” Mr Doyle said.
“We believe our new retail offering will act like a magnet for shoppers in the surrounding catchment and work to bring new customers into the Kyneton community.”
Goldfields’ civil tender process has recently closed and they are in the process of appointing a civil construction group to deliver Stage 1 of the project. Construction of Stage 1 is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Completion is scheduled for early 2027.
