Hopes dashed

By Melissa Donchi
SUPPORTERS of a major supermarket development in Seville have had their hopes dashed after the Shire of Yarra Ranges rejected an application to build on a block of land along the Warburton Highway.
The outcome was particularly bitter for local landowners, the Pace family whose members had spent most of this year drafting up proposals and consulting with the community.
The council was equally divided about the application until mayor Tim Heenan cast his vote against the development, joining councillors Samantha Dunn, Janette McRae and Monika Keane.
Project spokesman Robert Pace said the family were considering their options.
“Obviously we are very disappointed by the council’s decision when we have gone to so much trouble to find out what the community wanted,” Mr Pace said.
“The council don’t seem to care what the community think about this project because they are too busy running their own personal agendas.”
Mr Pace said he was disappointed that the community would not get a say in the matter and described it as a ‘lost opportunity’.
“The Seville community should decide whether its a good thing or not,” Mr Pace said.
“Right now we have to assess our options and go from there.”
Mr Pace said they had drafted three proposals and held two consultation meetings with the most recent application to the council the clear winner.
“This was the most popular proposal with the community so this is the application we submitted to council,” Mr Pace said.
“We will now have to look over the other two proposals and see what our options are.”
But in a shock twist the council also ruled that Mr Pace could not take his proposal back to the community for consultation claiming there was ‘insufficient strategic justification’ to prepare and exhibit an amendment.
“There remains substantial potential for detrimental impact on the existing built character of the town centre and the amenity of residential areas,” the report stated.
“There is also potential for substantial detrimental impact on existing retail outlets both in Seville and in other nearby centres, to the extent that the functionality and desirability of these centres and their ability to contribute to the quality of life of residents would be jeopardised.”
The council was also influenced by a petition presented by Shane Wyles and Geoff Vickers of the Warburton Highway Retail Traders Association which contained 1980 signatures and strongly objected to a major supermarket development and retail precinct in Seville.
The petition outlined concerns that the development could bring severe disruption to townships along the Warburton Highway while noting that a major supermarket could result in job losses and loss of support for local sports and social clubs as well as charities and schools.
Mayor Tim Heenan said townships should have a more vibrant residential mix.
“In that parcel of land we think it would be great to see a mix rather than one development impacting the whole area,” Cr Heenan said.
“Seville has a great opportunity to have more variance for people to come and live and we want that too.”