Bunjil building blocked

PLANS for a new home near Bunjil Lookout have been denied by Golden Plains Shire council.

The move came at the Tuesday, 19 January meeting after four councilors backed an alternative motion rejecting a planning permit application for a proposed two-level home on a private property at 1803 Steiglitz Road, Maude.

The Shire’s director of infrastructure and development Phil Josipovic said there were 13 objections to the application that would have been located on “the north-east corner of the land at the top of the slope of the Moorabool River valley.”

“The dwelling… is approximately 105 metres from Bunjil Lookout and 280 metres from the Moorabool River. We know there’s cultural heritage significance in and around that area,” he said.

“An objection [has been received] from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation. The main concern raised by objectors relates to the visual impact of the development on views from the Bunjil Lookout.

“There are no cultural heritage requirements for this application; the development of a single dwelling is exempt from the requirements for a Cultural Heritage Management Plan under the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations (2007).”

Mr Josipovic said the design of the building would have minimal visual impact on the area’s landscape.

In objecting to the plans Stuart McCallum wanted councilors to recognise the Bunjil Lookout site’s significance to the area’s indigenous peoples, and reject the application.

“The proposed dwelling will be an intrusion on the landscape view. If that [rejection] is deemed impossible, and council is comfortable with the insulting intrusion, then vegetation screening should be required close to the construction site, not close to the Lookout,” he said.

“Golden Plains has a lot of work to do to improve its relationship with our indigenous population.  This is an excellent opportunity to show more enthusiasm towards reconciliation, towards the people whose land we have stolen.”

Cr Gavin Gamble noted the “strength of the objectors” and said the Wadawurrung people consider the “entire ridge line” to be an important cultural location.

“The building will have a visual impact on the landscape, and that will be at the detriment of the surrounding uses, which are very important,” he said.

He moved the alternative motion to refuse the permit, seconded by Cr Clayton Whitfield.

“I spent a lot of time deliberating over this decision. It’s an opportunity for council to demonstrate respect for the Wadawurrung people when considering this proposal,” Cr Whitfield said.

“Has the applicant designed the proposal to minimise the impact in the best way possible? It is still a two-story, extremely large building… so I suggest there are greater ways to minimise the impact.

“I don’t think this proposal enhances the natural features of the Moorabool Valley. Is it compatible with the tourist role of the area? In my opinion, it is not.”

Cr Brett Cunningham voted to grant the application and acknowledged that the decision-making process was challenging in this case.

“The application satisfies the provision of the local planning policy… but also challenges the council’s land-use strategy proposal,” he said.

Cr Owen Sharkey said he had “been on both sides of the fence throughout the journey” but the recommendation “ticks a lot of the boxes.”

“If the applicant goes off the VCAT and it comes back, we could end up in a worse position,” he said.

Cr Sharkey also saw the case as an opportunity to invite the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation “to make a presentation [to council] on their interpretation of planning,” as he was confused by the objection document submitted.

Mr Josipovic said the infrastructure and development department will complete a cultural heritage management plan surrounding the Bunjil Lookout Reserve water-supply project.