Minister ticks

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
VICTORIAN Planning Minister Matthew Guy has ignored pleas from residents asking him not to back the proposed development for Seville.
The minister has approved the rezoning of one hectare of residential land in Seville to a business zone to make way for the 3394 square metre supermarket with 17 shops, a medical practice, petrol station, car wash and large car park.
The giant supermarket complex was given the green light by Yarra Ranges Council in February, after five years of residents campaigning for and against the project, which has split the town in half.
Residents against the proposal emailed the planning minister’s office as a last resort following the council decision to approve the project.
They wanted to meet with Mr Guy in the hope he would listen to their fears.
But when they did get an emailed response, which The Mail has seen, they were told the Coalition was elected on a platform of allowing councils “a greater degree of autonomy over the administration of their planning schemes and in this instance, this matter has been determined by them.”
Mr Guy said the council recommended he approve the amendment and he did.
“This is an initiative of the council and I will not intervene,” he said in a statement.
Chandler Ward councillor Graham Warren said since the minister approved the planning amendments the council has issued the Seville supermarket development with a permit.
“Prior to commencement of the development, the applicant is required to submit a series of plans and other requirements as specified in the planning permit conditions,” he said.