Heidi Kraak
The Yarragon community has welcomed Baw Baw Shire’s decision to refuse an application to construct a large service station on the perimeter of Yarragon village.
The application involved an overall area of 8.48 hectares located 250 metres west of the Yarragon commercial area, and comprised the service station and related amenities including two 24-hour fast food outlets with drive-throughs.
There would also be 67 car parks and 23 spaces for truck and trailer parking.
A large number of community members objected to the application by signing a petition against the proposal which gained 1112 signatories earlier this year.
Council also received 74 submissions about the application with 73 letters objecting to the proposal and one letter in support.
Baw Baw Shire eastern ward councillor Michael Leaney said council officers had recommended refusing the proposal for a number of reasons.
“I can see a genuine argument for having a service centre – I just don’t think Yarragon is the best place to put it,” he said.
“Yarragon has been identified as one of the three pillars of tourism … it would seem odd that we would go against that.
“The two don’t necessarily go together so that was probably the general feeling from councillors as to why it was rejected.”
Cr Leaney said council would be prepared to fight the application if the proponent took the case the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal.
“I think the reasons for rejecting the proposal are very sound and I would be extremely disappointed if VCAT overruled it but who knows [what could happen].”
Yarragon and District Community Association president Jude Conway said the community had a range of concerns regarding the proposed service station.
“The image people have of Yarragon, what attracts them to Yarragon is the village feel,” she said.
“We know the shops are very attractive to visitors and it is a great meeting place for locals.
“We are concerned that bringing a multinational company in won’t further that sort of connection the way local businesses do.”
Yarragon Business Association president Lee Richards said the service station proposal would effectively be creating another commercial centre in Yarragon and detract from the village.
“We sincerely hope that is the end, but if the applicant takes it to VCAT, the community is prepared to keep fighting this inappropriate development in our town,” she said.
The applicant declined to comment when contacted by The Express.
