VCAT
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VCAT appeal win
Plans for a Kyneton special needs family refuge have been approved in a VCAT appeal despite its Farm Zone location. Mark’s Country Place proposes an outdoor recreation facility with activity rooms and offices for 3.9ha of Farm Zone land at Deep Lead Lane. The proposal also includes car parking for two buses and 22 vehicles…
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Shed home approved
Malmsbury farmer Travis Bruni has won the fight to turn his shed come ‘man cave’ into a legal residence. Mr Bruni said last week’s ruling at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was a relief and meant he could continue to grow his farm. “I would have walked away from farming if this didn’t get…
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Residents reject billboard
Eve Lamb A VCAT hearing to determine if a large promotional advertising hoarding can be erected at a major entryway to Castlemaine has now been adjourned to November. A hearing before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was scheduled for Friday July 29 with the applicant behind the proposed advertising structure seeking to overturn a…
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Tourism-draw questioned
A multi-million dollar redevelopment of ‘The Old Factory’ in Woodend has been rejected at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Impact on the town’s commercial core, question of genuine tourism draw and the need to maintain industrial areas were key factors in the decision. Branded a tourist destination, the original plan included a 40-stall market,…
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Brewery battle ends
Holgate Brewhouse’s new discovery centre has been granted dining privileges and increased opening hours in the resolution of a bungled planning permit. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has removed restrictions on serving beer and food, and extended hours at the visitor centre and beer gardens to 9pm. VCAT’s order comes with a patron cap…
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Romsey aged care to VCAT
A 120-bed residential aged-care facility for Romsey has Macedon Ranges Council’s tick of approval as it progresses to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Councillors voted 5-3 in favour of the proposal, which aims to fill a void of services in the east but threatens to extend Romsey’s town boundary. The SignatureCare facility would be…
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Council error to VCAT
“Extension by stealth” is how some objectors have described changed operating conditions for Holgates Brewhouse’s discovery centre and beer gardens. Macedon Ranges Shire Council has admitted to lifting two planning conditions that controlled operating hours and alcohol consumption at the Woodend venue, without community consultation. When in place, the conditions restricted visitor centre and garden…
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Castlemaine supermarket plan heads to VCAT
A controversial planning permit application for a proposed Woolworths supermarket in Castlemaine’s Forest Street is headed to VCAT with a mediation session set for next month to be followed by a hearing in November. Lascorp Development Group, developers proposing plans for the site, lodged the application on April 1 citing failure by Mount Alexander Shire…
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Kyneton South subdivision to VCAT
Residents of Kyneton South have won the support of the local council in their fight against an 87-lot subdivision for Harpers Lane but the decision will ultimately fall to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The developer has taken the matter to VCAT after council failed to decide on the application within the prescribed time,…
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FARM DECISION OVERTHROWN
Macedon Ranges Council’s decision to refuse farmland development for a small-scale farm venture at Woodend North has been overthrown by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The proposal sought to build a house and large shed on 6.2 hectares at 130 Russells Lane to support a speckle park cattle breeding pursuit with about 10 cows.…
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Farmers win in land battle
A fourth generation Springfield farming family has taken on the state government in a David and Goliath battle over land, and won. Backed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council, the Clement family succeeded at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in preventing fragmentation of farmland at 75 Clements Road, Springfield. The family donated the land as…
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VCAT rejects Gisborne South Buddhist temple bid
Plans for a Buddhist temple at Gisborne South have been scrapped following the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s ruling to refuse the application last week.The Lao Buddhist Society of Victoria proposal sought to develop the Rural Living Zone site at 125 McGeorge Road to allow for worship, gatherings and meetings. While the planning officer recommended…