A PLANNING application for a transport depot in a rural residential zone in Boyd Street, Wonthaggi, has been refused by Bass Coast Shire Council, although the way was left open for a separate application to park a local school bus.
Council was told retrospective approval was sought as the applicant had been conducting an earthmoving business from the site in some capacity since 2002.
A total of 24 objections were received against the proposal, which was considered at odds with the guidelines for a Rural Living Zone despite the applicant having purchased and lived on the land for many years.
The application proposed to reinforce existing boundary landscaping and construct an additional internal screen to enhance the buffer between the contractor’s depot and abutting properties.
The land was contained in an isolated residential estate of approximately 23 rural lifestyle lots known as Pommy Town, situated east of the Cape Paterson Road.
It was noted that a section of the Wonthaggi to Inverloch shared pathway runs alongside and crosses Moores Road and the intersection of Moores Road and Boyd Street.
It was recognised that Boyd Street and adjoining local access roads were unsealed and did not currently meet the 6.2-metre carriageway width prescribed for rural living.
While it was noted that the proposed earthmoving business contributed to the local economy and fulfilled a commercial and community need, it was decided the depot would be more appropriately sited within a commercial or industrial zone.
Local residents had complained about dust, fumes, noise and vibration from the movement of large earthmoving vehicles to and from the site, but not all the objections were accepted as valid.
Because the land was used to park school buses, it was considered that use did not form part of the application. Bus Depot was not a defined land use and as the applicant did not seek permission for the storage of buses onsite this was not under assessment.
Cr Mat Morgan said Pommy Town estate was a wonderful little community and thanked residents for their engagement in this sensitive issue.
“I take no pleasure in this,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Cr Brett Tessari said he had met with the applicant and a number of the objectors, who were sitting in the gallery to try to come up with a better solution.
“Unfortunately, this is a business that has grown,” said Cr Tessari.
“He has been forced to operate the business from there because over the years we have used industrial estates for the wrong reasons, and now we have a shortness of industrial land.”
Cr Jon Temby said this development was incompatible with the expectations of a rural residential area and additionally to the rail trail (shared pathway).
“This contractor’s depot should be located elsewhere in the shire,” said Cr Temby.
Cr Meg Edwards urged council to pull out every stop to help this business in every way possible to be able to find alternative land that is more suitable for what they were wanting to do.
A majority of councillors agreed the proposal was at odds with the primary purpose of a rural residential zone and voted to refuse the application. Cr Tessari abstained.
