$40m resort win

By Kath Gannaway
THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has given Eco-Resorts Australia the go-ahead to build a $40 million tourist resort development at Warburton.
Eco-Resorts Australia had appealed to VCAT against the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ refusal to grant a permit to build the resort on land in Martyrs Road and Sussex Street, Warburton.
While the decision is being hailed as a ‘win’ for the company, it is not without its drawbacks.
VCAT rejected outright a re-submitted proposal for four forest lodges which the company claimed was critical to the viability of the project and has called for a new development plan to be submitted to Yarra Ranges Shire Council for approval.
Eco-Resorts director John Stanley said while the decision had been a long time coming, the company was now looking forward to getting on with the job of building a top-class resort in Warburton.
Work must begin on the project, which includes a 98-room hotel and 40 chalets, by November 2006.
Spokesman for the company Allan Craig said the directors believed the development would provide a much-needed boost for the local economy and they were committed to integrating the activities of the resort into the local economy.
Mr Craig said while the loss of the forest lodges was disappointing, the directors had “re-crunched the numbers” and were confident they could successfully go ahead.
“Obviously we put a strong case for the forest lodges but at the end of the day Warburton is going ahead and we want to get something happening.”
Mr Stanley said the company was committed to pursuing a new application for the forest lodges in the future.
Shire of Yarra Ranges spokesperson James Martin said granting a planning permit would now be a formality if the company complied with all the conditions set down by VCAT.
Objectors to the development have also welcomed the decision saying it delivered some important safeguards.
Nancy Seeger said all the objectors could feel pleased.
“As far as the VCAT decision is concerned we were given a fair hearing,” she said.
She said there had been major wins on issues such as the forest lodges, colour scheme of the hotel and baffled lighting as well as important heritage outcomes including protection of the water race.
“A lot of time and energy has been involved. For the shire and the developers it’s their bread and butter, their job, but that’s not so for the objectors.
“This decision would not have been possible without the dedication of all those who objected. It was their presence at council and VCAT meetings which made it possible and I am very proud of every one of them,” Ms Seeger said.