Woodend residents are fighting an application for a freeway service centre at the edge of their town, just four years after VCAT rejected a similar proposal.
Plans include three fast-food restaurants with drive-throughs, 174 parking bays for cars/trucks/caravans, internally-illuminated signage, and construction of two new on/off freeway ramps.
The applicant, Welsh Leisure, has appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal following Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s failure to grant a permit within the prescribed time.
READY TO FIGHT
Objector Karen Hunt said the plans were a shock but residents were prepared to put up a challenge.
“People are shocked and alarmed at what is being proposed, especially so soon after a previous application was refused by both the council and VCAT,” Ms Hunt said.
“Woodend is regarded by tourists as one of the most beautiful areas to visit and this scar on our landscape would undoubtedly ruin its beauty.
“It will be an eyesore from the freeway but also from Mount Macedon, Camels Hump and Hanging Rock.
“Tourists heading north will be deterred from calling in to the township of Woodend for fuel, therefore not wandering around the town and spending on coffee, food and other services the township already offers.”
Ms Hunt is among a group of 20 residents who launched a Change.org petition against the application last week.
Objectors have also flagged concerns about rubbish from the fast-food outlets, light and sound pollution, and the site’s elevated position.
LOCATION
The current proposal is for land on the western side of the Calder Freeway, about 880 metres north of its intersection with Romsey Road.
The entire site contains two parts, one to the west of the freeway and one to the east. Together they have a total area of 22.29ha.
Development of the eastern area is not included in this application, however, residents believe approval of the western area may trigger an application for a second freeway service centre located opposite.
The proposed freeway service centre is located 43km north of the Calder Park BP freeway service centre and 62km south of the Ravenswood Ampol freeway service centre. Petrol stations are also located at Carlsruhe, Black Forest Drive and Woodend.
Both MRSC and VCAT rejected a permit for a freeway service centre at Barkers Road/Calder Freeway, Woodend, in 2021. That proposal attracted 152 objections. Impact on the landscape was a key part of the decision, with reference to the council’s Planning Policy Framework and Municipal Strategic Statement.
Woodend residents have also successfully fought two other petrol station proposals for High Street in 2015 and 2018.
SUBMISSIONS DUE
The application PLN/2023/353 can be viewed via Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s website: mrsc.vic.gov.au
Submissions to VCAT must be made by March 21 via: vcat.vic.gov.au/respondplanning
The VCAT hearing is scheduled for June.
Residents can sign the online petition via: change.org/p/say-no-to-freeway-service-centre-save-woodend
