By Kath Gannaway
Yarra Ranges Council has voted to keep Healesville’s unofficial ‘town green’ in community use.
The VicTrack-owned land on the corner of Green and River streets was the subject of a proposed amendment which would rezone the land from Public Use to Business (Commercial) 1, making it a more lucrative option for VicTrack who had indicated they wish to sell it.
The council, at its December meeting voted to abandon Amendment C108 to the Planning Scheme and to pursue a long-term lease or purchase of the land.
There was considerable public opposition to the sale of the land which provides a green space in the middle of the town and is used by the Healesville Community Market each month.
Following an Independent Panel Review, council’s Planning Department recommended rezoning of the land when the matter came before the council in November 2012.
The council, however, deferred the matter in lieu of the completion of the Healesville Structure Plan which was subsequently adopted in August last year with a recommendation to investigate the feasibility of either buying or leasing.
The report to councillors highlighted the benefit of retaining the land, saying the monthly market provided important opportunities for social connection and was valued by the community as open space close to the town centre.
Economic benefits from the sale of the land however would also result with a small increase in commercial opportunities and corresponding increase in employment and economic activity.
There was also a potential risk in not adopting the amendment in that VicTrack could go directly to the government’s Fast Track Government Land Service resulting in the council having less influence over the outcome.
Council voted to abandon the amendment and pursue the long-term lease or purchase including, if needed writing to the Minister for Public Transport to escalate the matter.
