Super battle

By Tania Martin
TECOMA residents are gearing up for the next round in a David and Goliath battle to stop a $7 million supermarket development.
This comes after the Shire of Yarra Ranges unanimously rejected the proposal last Tuesday 10 March.
And the fight is far from over. VCAT, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, will now decide the application’s fate.
The developer, Freeman Tecoma, appealed to the tribunal in January after the council failed to decide on the permit within a required 60 days.
A group of hills residents are now pulling together to mount their battle plans. The proposal is for a supermarket, specialty store and undercover parking at 1529 Burwood Highway, Tecoma.
It would see the Hippie Haven Music Cafe and popular eatery Saffron Cottage bulldozed.
Since the application was made public last September, locals have rallied against it. The council received a staggering 531 objections, 16 petitions opposing the development and just four submissions in support.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn told the meeting last Tuesday that the community had spoken loud and clear. “They don’t want it,” she said. One of the main concerns raised by residents was an increase in traffic in an already clogged area of Burwood Highway. Objector Amy Carroll said it was not just about Tecoma but all hills residents.
“We have seen recently in emergencies how everyone in the hills uses Burwood Highway as a way to escape,” she said.
Ms Carroll said a VicRoads report did not fairly represent how busy the area could be.
The report said there would be an additional 3348 traffic movements.
Developer and local GP, Joel Freeman, disputed that traffic would be a major issue.
“VicRoads has done an extensive report and is happy with the traffic conditions,” he said. However, Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said traffic in the area on any given day was a nightmare.
He said it was not just used by locals but visitors to the region and those living in other townships across the Dandenongs.
“Most days you need to take your cut lunch and thermos and enjoy the trip,” he said.
Dr Freeman said a supermarket would add value to other shops in the area.
“There is a Safeway in Belgrave and this (supermarket) will bring competition, which will drive down prices and benefit everyone,” he said.
Dr Freeman said the supermarket would also boost local jobs and revitalise the community. But Cr Dunn questioned the need for such a big development.
“It’s not an area burgeoning with growth,” she said.
Cr Cliff said people loved Tecoma for its charm. “We need something that doesn’t look like a sore toe,” he said.
Cr Dunn said the application also failed to address the shire’s planning scheme.
“It’s completely over the top… It’s a monolithic monstrosity that we must say no to,” she said.
Residents will meet in the next few weeks to discuss their strategy for the coming VCAT appeal.
A date is still to be set for the hearing.