Vol. No. Vol. 2618No. 3 27
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Wednesday, January 13, 2023 2016 Wednesday, July 19,
SMALL BEGINNINGS: Students from six primary schools pulled on their guernseys for a new nine-a-side Australian rules football competition at Horsham City Oval yesterday. The competition, a partnership between AFL Victoria and School Sport Victoria, put years four to six students through their paces in a round-robin format. Students, from left, Ivy MacGregor of Warracknabeal Primary School, Stacey Edwards of Casterton Primary School, Rhenz Enriquez of Stawell West Primary School, Colby Anderson of St Mary’s Warracknabeal, Henry Albrecht of Halls Gap Primary School and Blake Sanger of Dimboola Primary School were among young, aspiring footballers who took part in the Greater Western Primary Region competition. Regional tournaments were hosted across the state in June and July. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Station unresolved A
BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
tribunal will determine the future of a service station proposal for Horsham.
Representatives of Spectrum Retail Group, Horsham Rural City Council and a cohort of objectors attended a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, VCAT, compulsory conference last week. It was the next stage of an ongoing dispute about a proposed 7-Eleven petrol station on the corner of Dooen Road and Baillie Street. A compulsory conference offers parties a forum to discuss ways to resolve their dispute, with the help of an
independent VCAT member. It is a confidential process. As no outcome was reached on Thursday, parties now progress to a full hearing, scheduled for October 9 to 12, and VCAT will decide the proposal’s future. Urbis Pty Ltd, for Spectrum Retail Group, lodged a planning permit application for the service station with the council late last year. The council went on to spectacularly refuse the planning permit in March. Mobility scooter provider Action Aids currently occupies the site. It has been a service station in the past. Di Bell, a nominated representative of objectors to the proposal, said about
55 people had lodged objections with the council. Not all have continued with the VCAT process. The group objection to the proposal cited traffic congestion concerns; impact of noise, light and odours; and amenity. They also object to 24-hour trade. “People have said all along – not in a residential area,” Mrs Bell said. “We’re not against a service station coming; we’re against the location – particularly in an area where traffic issues already exist, even without a service station being on the corner.” The council’s co-ordinator statutory planning and building, Joel Hastings, said the permit was refused on five
terms – including commercial zoning and use in a residential area; amenity, including proposed signage height; and the development would represent an ‘inappropriate planning outcome’. Mr Hastings said no changes were proposed to the development, but amended plans might be submitted to the tribunal prior to the hearing, for consideration. “All parties generally bear their own costs at VCAT. Council has engaged planning and environmental lawyers to represent them in this matter, but is unable to disclose the cost to date,” he said. “The compulsory conference is confidential and the full hearing is
listed for October 9 to 12 at VCAT.” Spectrum Retail Group development director Youil Adam said the development had been two years in the making and 7-Eleven believed the brand was ‘well-suited’ to Horsham, with a positive impact on the local economy including trades during the construction phase and ongoing jobs. He said its location was chosen due to its historic use as a service station, and being on an arterial road. “While no outcome originated from the mediation process, we look forward to the next stage in the process, which is having the permit independently assessed by VCAT in October,” Mr Adam said.
IN THIS ISSUE • Commonwealth Games win • Tax time feature • Nationals gold for Barry Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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