General News
6 November, 2023
Objectors "let down" by servo green light
Horsham Rural City Council’s refusal to grant a planning permit for a petrol station on Dooen Road has been overturned on appeal. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) announced its decision on Friday, to the disappointment of...
Horsham Rural City Council’s refusal to grant a planning permit for a petrol station on Dooen Road has been overturned on appeal.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) announced its decision on Friday, to the disappointment of objectors.
The decision paves the way for construction of Spectrum Retail Group’s proposed 24-hour 7-Eleven service station to proceed on the corner of Baillie Street.
At a meeting in May, council turned down the planning application on the grounds that it did not comply with the planning scheme provisions and would affect the adjoining land uses and traffic movement in the precinct.
There were also 55 public objections to the proposal which cited concerns about traffic congestion, 24-hour trade, landscaping, and the impact of noise, light and odours.
However, VCAT decided that a service station in a residential zone was appropriate, particularly where it had good access to the transport network and provided a benefit to the community.
It also found the proposal would “not significantly impact the current level of congestion and safety that prevails on the surrounding road network” and that “the additional traffic movements onto the road network will most likely occur outside of the peak times, when there is more than adequate capacity to accommodate additional vehicle movements.”
Objector representative Di Bell said she was disappointed that council’s decision had been overturned.
"The planning scheme hasn't protected the residents and we feel it has let us down," Mrs Bell said.
"There is nothing in the scheme to protect neighbouring residents from odours and air pollutants and, as there is nothing in the Act either, this was unable to be considered in our appeal."
Further, Mrs Bell said the turning circle for the proposed service station was too small, meaning trucks and large caravans would be unable to enter, adding to concerns about traffic flow.
"There have already been three accidents at that intersection which blocked everything up," Mrs Bell said.
"We don't want to wait until someone is killed before action is taken.
"We were flabbergasted that council didn't raise any concerns about the traffic in the appeal."
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