By AIDAN KNIGHT
LATROBE City Council met last month to provide an update relating to the request to purchase land located at Heesom Crescent, Churchill.
The request comes from the state government, along with its plans to develop the land into an early learning centre – a service high in demand within the Churchill area.
The land comprises 6554 m2 of Watson Park, within walking distance of the local primary school.
Councillors unanimously voted in favour of the proposal last April, but put it out to gauge public feedback before approving the request.
Local resident Tracy Brawn stood as a public speaker on the matter at last month’s council meeting, imploring councillors to change their vote.
Not opposed to the development being done, Ms Brawn held a similar perspective to Morwell locals recently to rumours of Morwell Central Hotel becoming a public housing complex – “just not on that land”.
As a long-term Churchill resident, both raised and returning, she sees no problem with changes within the town but “(I) have seen the congestion in Common Parade and at times in Heesom Crescent .. I’m very concerned about that”.
“There is (sic) two courts adjacent to Common Parade – get to 2.30pm, 3pm, it turns into a one-way. Therefore, we can’t get emergency services through,” she said.
Ms Brawn recalled one instance she witnessed when a fire truck attempted to travel through the street around pick-up time, simply stating, “it was not pretty”.
“We have a lot of other green belt areas (in Churchill) which have wider streets, which can accommodate this. In my proposal I had written to council I suggested a few others.”
These suggestions included vacant land on the corner of Switchback Road and Birch Street.
“A development centre is not only for kindergarten and drop-off/pick-up for those working there,” Ms Brawn said, quantifying the possibility for people to attend the building anywhere between 6am and 7pm.
Moe Ward Councillor Adele Pugsley posed a question to Latrobe City Chief Executive Steve Piasente on the exact number of carparks associated with the development. He passed it onto the general manager of infrastructure, Jody Riordan, in the executive team.
Mr Riordan clarified that the proposal simply concerns the sale of the land, and council has no say over the specifics of the development, but will ensure that any infrastructure made will need to comply with the requirements of council planning scheme – meaning everything would have to be appropriate to go ahead, once the sale has been processed.
Ms Brawn then attempted to pose a question from the public speaker stand, but was quickly and congenially informed against this by Mayor Sharon Gibson (as per council procedures).
“We’re not sure if the Minister for Planning will use their own approval mechanisms, so I can’t provide any further detailed information at this point in time,” Mr Riordan concluded.
Deputy Mayor Dale Harriman (Loy Yang Ward) asked if the state government was likely to simply acquire the land by compulsory means imposed upon council, should it ultimately be voted down by Latrobe City.
Mr Pisente replied that while “ultimately they could, I don’t think they would normally, it would need to be a project of state significance”.
The only instance of compulsory acquisition within the region Mr Pisente was aware of was the desalination project in Wonthaggi, calling it a rare practice that occurs more often in a metro zoning than within regional councils.
Cr Pugsley asked what the increase in traffic would be in such a centre, typically.
“It’s pretty hard to quantify without having all the detail,” she said.
“If council agrees to it (development), then there’d be more detail provided through the planning process.”
The motion was moved by Cr Leanne Potter (Budgeree), seconded by Cr Pugsley. There was no opposition.
Cr Potter informed the gallery that the community consultation received 16 submissions (six individual and 10 residents putting forth one combined).
“I also note that the Churchill & District Community Association had some concerns about the traffic, (…) but overall endorsed the sale as well,” she said.
Cr Potter suggested that Churchill residents who know the community best are those in favour of the sale going ahead, and that it would benefit the wellbeing, growth and liveability of the wider municipality as well.
“The sale (…) is entirely consistent with those commitments,” she said, referencing the ongoing growth the town is experiencing.
“At the moment, Churchill has a waiting lists for childcare – and that’s not just a mild inconvenience for working families. Access to childcare is fundamental to your participation in the workforce.”
Cr Potter also highlighted that the establishment would alleviate strain on the nearby townships of Boolarra and Yinnar.
On the issue of school traffic, “the purchaser has indicated that they will seek to provide adequate car parking within the boundary”.
Cr Pugsley agreed that the state government is a body perhaps most likely to deliver the best compliance with onsite parking demand, and that drop-off times would be staggered as well, which wasn’t taken into account previously.
“As a working parent, I know how stressful it is not having adequate childcare,” she said.
Yallourn Ward’s Steph Morgan said the motion related purely to the sale of the land for the development, rather than the specifics of the actual development. Any unhappy residents will be able to object to a planning permit at a later date, should it be sold.
The vote was unanimous and the sale of the parcel of land approved.
