Down, down, Supermarket voted down – City of Greater Bendigo council meeting briefs

A MAJORITY of City of Greater Bendigo councillors have knocked back a plan for a Coles supermarket and liquor store at 715-723 Calder Highway, Maiden Gully.

The move came at the council’s regular meeting on Monday, 24 April and was based on an officer recommendation related to issues with car parking and increased traffic.

There were also issues with the impact of the 3647-square-metre development on the landscape of the area and the planned loss of vegetation.

Cr Jennifer Alden said a lot of consideration had gone into refusing the project and more information was needed.

“It was not a decision made lightly,” she said. “It would appear prudent that other reports, such as native vegetation removal report with an additional impact assessment be undertaken.

“We need to always consider waste management plans for demolition and construction etcetera, so there are a range of things that need to be considered and information gathered.”

Increased traffic near schools and the supermarket’s proximity to a competing chain were also mentioned as reasons for the majority decision.

The motion before the council, which was to notify the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal of lack of support wasn’t unanimous, with Cr Matthew Evans, Cr Margaret O’Rourke and Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalfe all voting against.

 

Scheme Review

Council was presented with a report covering the findings and recommendations of the last year’s Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme Review.

The review concluded that the scheme was performing well overall but did identify several opportunities for improvement.

They included the need for better reflection of objectives in relation to land use and development issues, addressing issues raised by VCAT and planning panels, improvements in responses to changes in State Government policies and a need to clear up formatting and content issues within the document.

The planning scheme contains policies and provisions focused on controlling land use and development within the municipality.

Cr Rod Fyffe said that the report was key to the workings of the City.

“This is a very important piece of work,” he said. “Even though it may make many people’s eyes glaze over when they read something like this.

“Nevertheless, the ramifications of what it looks at picks up and delivers on is considerable and important not just to the planning of the City but also what happens to the people in it.”

 

Subdivision approved

The council supported an application for a subdivision and development of homes at 46 William Road, Myers Flat, which falls within a farming zone.

There are municipal policies related to development in farming zones, including that the project support or enhance agriculture, and can’t cause agricultural land to be lost.

Cr Greg Penna said the proposed lots sizes were too small to make it viable farming land and that dwellings were therefore suitable.

“Singularly or divided there is little chance this parcel of land would be a physical or financially productive farm,” he said.

“It also noted that this land is not considered of high quality due to its proximity to dwellings and trees and its poor soil quality.”

Cr Penna’s view was unanimously supported and discretionary powers were used to wave the farming zone policy in this case.

 

Youth get action plan

A motion was carried to support the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Action Plan 2023-24, with the document developed by the municipal youth council who’ll oversee its implementation.

Known as a YAP, the document has 24 actions including aiming to continue support for already successful youth programs, provide safe and welcoming events, and back inclusion for young people.

Cr Dave Fagg said it was time to give the local youth greater control.

“Young people often have plans made for them,” he said. “Over recent decades there has been a concerted effort by youth workers, academics, educators and young people themselves to bring their needs and voice into the centre of policy conversation.

“I urge everyone here to vote for the plans support tonight.”

The motion was carried unanimously.

 

Contracts Awarded

A near half-a-million-dollar contract for Ewing Park landscape works was awarded to local company GDL Excavations, with the completion of construction planned for the end of next month.

Cr O’Rourke said the job was just one stage of the development at the park.

“The total budget amount is around $1.5 million, and there are about three packages of work, and this is one of those,” she said.

A previously awarded service contract was also one Cr O’Rourke thought would be of interest.

“I know people will be interested in the textile recycling contract that has been awarded,” she said. “It was previously awarded in January but missed the report.”

The recycling contract budgeted at more than $172,000 was awarded to Textile Recyclers Australia with a textile collection happening this weekend at Red Energy Arena.