By Corey Everitt
Cardinia Shire Council has deferred the decision on granting a permit to a proposed 4-storey medical centre in Emerald.
In the council’s Town Planning meeting held on Monday 4 September, council offices moved a motion to allow a new medical centre to be constructed on 337 Belgrave-Gembrook Road.
Despite support from council offices, Ranges Ward Councillor Jeff Springfield moved to defer consideration of the motion for the next Town Planning meeting.
Cr Springfield said further information must considered around the traffic impacts of such a proposal.
The site, which is currently a single-level dwelling, is proposed to hold a maximum of 13 different medical specialists for the town and surrounds.
Mandala Clinic, a health service just down the road at 360 Belgrave-Gembrook Road appears to be the applicant as they are the client of the proposal’s architect Hamilton Designs.
The overall complex will be four levels, from Belgrave-Gembrook road it will appear as two, the two lower levels constructed more to the rear accommodating for the slope toward Madigan Way.
The two lower levels will be mostly comprised of the 42 parking spaces that will be accessible from Madigan way.
Specialist space will be provided entirely on both upper levels, while a partial section of basement level 1 will have space for service.
Entrance from Belgrave-Gembrook Road will be pedestrian-only, while vehicle entrance and parking will be accessible only from Madigan Way behind the property.
The council has provided their own general and specific amendments to the plan, including a condition to upgrade Madigan Way from Ferres Road to the eastern boundary of the lot.
As Madigan Way will be its sole entry for vehicles, the council requires the road to be upgraded the full length of the lot’s rear boundary.
This back road is the main point of concern which result in defer it’s consideration.
“Going over all the particulars of this, over the last week since we have seen the report handed down by council offices for the recommendation, I feel I really need to see some more information on the traffic impacts, particularly for Madigan Way,” Cr Springfield said in the meeting.
“I am concerned about what these impact may be if not measured properly on Madigan Way because we potentially are doubling the usage of this roadway.”
Councillor Jack Korwazik seconded the motion and agreed that the council could not make an informed decision until the proposal is further explored.
Councillor Kaye Cameron also spoke in support, raising the question of Madigan Way’s road sealing and whether or not it should be partially sealed as proposed or fully sealed.
Cr Springfield’s deferral was passed unanimously.
The motion will be considered at the next Town Planning meeting on Monday 2 October.
