Archive: Freeway Service Centres
Last Updated 25/9/06
South Gisborne Freeway Service Centres: Gone Away?
(19/8/06 - P) North-bound site for sale
Could it be that after some 7 years, the Freeway Service Centre proposals at the Calder Freeway rest stops in South Gisborne have finally 'gone away'? The northbound site has been advertised for sale in recent local newspapers, and is understood to have been passed in at auction last week. The permits for FSCs on both sides of the Freeway expired earlier this year after local residents challenged their validity, and further extension of the permits, at VCAT. Click here to see archive.
MRRA Says:
It's pleasing to see the land advertised for sale without including part of the neighbouring Council-owned reserve. Approved plans for the north-bound Freeway Service Centre showed part of the reserve being used in the proposal, even though there is no known record of formal or specific consent for that to happen.
South Gisborne Freeway Service Centres Disappear As Permits For Both Expire
(9/5/06 - P) South Gisborne residents win as proponent and local resident Ian Relph and La Trobe Finance withdraw applications from VCAT to 'extend' permits
An original proponent of these proposals and a finance company have sought (and received) consent from Council and objectors to withdraw all 3 applications for review that had been lodged at VCAT. The reviews wanted VCAT to approve 'extending' permits for a north-bound petrol filling station and eating house, and a south-bound freeway service centre after Council refused to 'extend' either. Both permits had lapsed and are now defunct. The north-bound proposal, first approved in 1998 when a freeway service centre was in fact a prohibited use, and the south-bound proposal, at first rejected by VCAT in 1999 but finally approved in 2003, have been the subject of strong community opposition. A challenge to the legitimacy of the north-bound proposal was mounted in 2002 but was overtaken by the commencement of some excavations on the site in January 2003. No further work has been done since then.
MRRA Says:
Rumours are hot that new applications for freeway service centres will be lodged in the near future and that a contract has been signed for the sale of the sites (although it's not clear why anyone would sign a contract for land that currently has no planning approvals). We don't know if these rumours have any substance, but we will watch this issue carefully particularly as objectors report they have plenty of questions about the original proposals and processes. Objectors have assured MRRA that if new applications for freeway service centres do come in, they will be only too happy to share information they have gathered on several big issues relating to these development proposals. The word is there's still more being found. Intriguing.
Congratulations to objectors who have stuck with the fight against these very large developments smack-dab on the gateway to the Shire for 8 long years, including numerous trips to VCAT where they won all but the 2003 south-bound FSC decision.
VCAT President Says Residents Can Join Hearing For Freeway Service Centre Permit Extension
(27/3/06 - P) Natural justice principles prevail in application for 'more time' on expired 8 year-old permit
Local residents this week won the right to have their say in May at a hearing where VCAT is being asked to extend expired planning permits. The permits, one now over 7 years old, are for the Freeway Service Centre proposals in South Gisborne, near Welsh Road and Dalrymple Road. Justice Stuart Morris, President of VCAT, allowed an application for joinder, even though it is very unusual in these types of cases, on the basis that it served the interests of natural justice.
MRRA Says:
Pretty-well everyone will have seen the neglected-looking hole dug several years ago at the Welsh Road site, and those of us who have been here long enough will remember the bitter fight over these proposals. The permits, which Council refused to extend last year, allow Freeway Service Centres (like the one down the road at the Thunderdome) to be built on both sides of the Calder Freeway near (over?) the existing rest stops south of Gisborne. We will watch this one with a great deal of interest.
Gisborne South Freeway Service Centre “Secret Deal” Proposal Made Public
(23/12/05 – P) South Ward Councillor John Letchford goes for it, then against it
MRRA was concerned when Macedon Ranges’ Council went behind closed doors at its 14th December Planning Committee meeting to discuss the Gisborne South Freeway Service Centre issue. MRRA understands a planning permit issued in 1998 for the northbound service centre has expired, and as VCAT later tied a permit issued for the southbound facility in 2003 to the northbound service centre proceeding, neither proposal seems to have a valid planning permit at this stage. The only inkling provided to what Council had discussed was when the resolution made behind closed doors was read out in open chamber: “It was moved by Cr Guthrie seconded by Cr Letchford that Council having considered the request of Phillip Bing and Associates request the Chief Executive to advise the applicants that Council has refused this request for the extension of permits P980-0712 and P202-0076.” Residents who had fought the proposals were not notified that Council was again considering the matter. However, the minutes of the 14th December meeting (now adopted by Council and available from its website) shed more light on what happened. The original motion before Council was to adopt planning officer Barry Green’s recommendation that Council AGREE to renew both permits through a consent order at VCAT. That motion was moved John Letchford, seconded Noel Harvey but lost. Cr. Letchford then seconded the motion to REFUSE. Councillors Relph (knows the applicant) and Connor (manager of a retail petrol station) declared conflicts of interest and did not vote. To see the minutes go to www.mrsc.vic.gov.au, go to Council Meetings and Strategies, Council Meetings, Minutes, 2005, Planning Committee 14 December, page 15.