Car-wash limbo

By Kath Gannaway
THE DEVELOPER behind a controversial car-wash proposal for Healesville’s East End, has told the Mail he is looking at alternative options for the site, but was not withdrawing the car-wash application.
Meanwhile, Yarra Ranges Council spokesman Troy Edwards confirmed yesterday (Monday) that in fact council had not made a decision within the required 60 days.
“The ball is firmly in the applicant’s court as to whether they now appeal to VCAT or not on the failure to make a decision,” Mr Edwards said.
More than 80 objections were lodged against the car-wash plan for the corner of St Leonard’s Road and Walker’s Lane.
The developer (who has requested his name not be used) said he met on Friday with Yarra Ranges Council’s planning department to discuss alternative, allowable uses for the site.
He said he would be investing in plans for a mix of first-floor retail with second, and possibly third-storey holiday apartments designed to facilitate visitors with a disability.
Another option, he said, was for a childcare centre.
“If council refuses the application, we will weigh up our options, but we’ve made it clear to council we will still go through to VCAT,” he said.
“We’re not saying the car-wash is not a good idea, and it’s still a do-able type development, but we are wanting to try to make the most of the site, so commercially, we’re looking at what other options are available to us.
“We’re interested to try to learn what would be the best application for the site,” he said.
Two objectors the Mail spoke to on Monday welcomed the initiative to actively pursue alternative uses for the site, but were sceptical of the fact that the developer was continuing with the car-wash application. Nicole Street who lives off Walker’s Lane said she was pleased to hear of alternatives that would benefit the town.
“Anything is better than a car-wash … no-one is out to stop him (the developer) from developing that site, and we understand that whatever goes there has to be commercially viable,” she said.
Matt Schwab, whose property adjoins the development site, said an accommodation/retail mix would greatly improve the streetscape.
“It would be a win for the community if it was submitted to council, but he is letting his previous car-wash application run its course, so it seems to be a back-up plan if the car-wash fails,” he said.
Both were unaware that the 60-day period had passed when the Mail spoke with them, but said they believed the matter should go before council.
“If council doesn’t vote on it, that would seem to give more weight to the developer at VCAT, because council has said neither yes or no. I feel sure that all the objectors would want to have a say,” Mr Schwab said.
Yarra Ranges Council has still to decide whether the car-wash planning application will be decided by councillors, or under delegation by planning officers.