Mystery plan

By Kath Gannaway
A 2.5-hectare warehouse proposed for Healesville has been described as a monster and a blight on the gateway to the town.
FNQ Developments Pty Ltd has applied to the Shire of Yarra Ranges for a permit to build the warehouse on the former Healesville Sawmill site on the corner of Maroondah Highway and Heritage Lane.
Plans show the two level building will cover approximately 75 per cent of the site with the north wall rising 19.5 metres above adjoining residential areas.
The proposal has brought condemnation from nearby residents and from Healesville Chamber of Commerce who say they have serious misgivings about the scale of the building and the lack of information on what it will be used for.
There are concerns also that although neighbouring and nearby property owners have been notified of the proposal, the wider community is ignorant of a development which will have such a huge impact on the town.
Statutory signs advertising the proposal were placed on the site just last Thursday (14 June) although the official closing date for submissions was Monday, 11 June. The new submission date is 28 June.
Town planners Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd acting on behalf of FNQ Developments submitted an amended application along with responses to a request from the shire’s planning department for further information on a raft of concerns.
Among those concerns are the scale and magnitude of the warehouse, the height which planners say will make it highly visible in the landscape, the necessity for such a development in Healesville, pedestrian safety and the poor level of detail and explanation in the plan.
The response sheds no light on the ultimate use, although there is speculation with 353 underground car parking spaces proposed, it could be being groomed with either Safeway or Bunnings in mind.
Healesville Chamber of Commerce president Gary Slater said chamber members had serious misgivings about the proposal.
“Our primary concern is the impact a structure of this size will have on the town.
“We’re not objecting to the fact that it’s a warehouse.
“Located somewhere else it might be fine but it will have a significant impact on tourism potential of the town.
“We just can’t see how it will benefit Healesville in terms of employment compared with what you might expect if a site like this were divided into several smaller businesses.”
Mr Slater said there were also concerns about traffic management and the lack of information on what will be stored in the building.
The chamber’s concerns are echoed by nearby residents Nikki Hannan and Jim White who say it is simply an inappropriate development for Healesville.
“We’ve got no problems with industrial development but the Zone 3 is supposed to provide a bridge between heavier industrial 1 and 2 categories and residential areas,” Ms Hannan said.
“The first thing people will see as they drive into Healesville will be the 13 metre high front which runs for about a quarter of a kilometre along the highway. It’s appalling.”
Mr White said a door-knock of businesses in the town on the weekend revealed very few people are aware of the proposal but were concerned.
He said the plans can be viewed at the Shire Service Centre and urged residents to make the time to see what is proposed for the town.
The Mail contacted Virginia Jackson of Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd who said the proposal is appropriate for the industrial zoning.
Mr John Lordan of FNQ Developments was also contacted but declined to comment.