‘Disneyland’ bid

DEVELOPERShave been told the Dandenong Ranges is not a fairytale theme park for their outlandish building concepts.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff issued the warning after the council rejected a ‘gingerbread house-style’ development proposal at Mt Dandenong’s SkyHigh.
The application was refused by the shire’s planning department under delegated authority in April.
Shire manager of community relations James Martin said it was deemed an inappropriate development.
Mr Martin said the planning permit application was to construct a 5.5-metres-high by 12-metre-long and seven-metre-wide building.
However, SkyHigh owner John Connellan has lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), saying that council’s decision was ‘ridiculous’.
Mr Connellan said the building was to be a gatehouse to the maze which is 50-metres away from the SkyHigh building and wouldn’t be detrimental to the building’s historical value.
“It was designed as a gateway to the maze, and we wanted a fun building for that, but the council obviously wants something that looks like a toilet block,” he said.
A related proposal to construct a kiosk attached to the side of the heritage listed SkyHigh building was also refused by the shire.
Mr Martin said plans for the building had been described by the council’s heritage adviser as a ‘kitsch dolls house’ and were lodged by the site’s tenants as part of a further development of a maze.
Cr Cliff said has likened the ‘gingerbread house’ development to Disneyland.
“I am not sure what it is about the higher altitude of the Dandenongs that brings out the worst in some people’s judgement.
“The simple fact is the Dandenongs is not a fairytale theme park. It is one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks and we are not about to let people bugger it up,” he said.
Mr Martin said the intention was to use ‘the gingerbread’ house as a gatehouse and coffee shop.
He said the shire has no problems with a coffee shop-style development, but that it can’t be attached to the side of the SkyHigh building.
The shire’s refusal of this application comes only months after the refusal of the controversial castle-style development in Chalet Road, Olinda.
Cr Cliff compared the castle application to Michael Jackson’s Neverland estate and the gingerbread development to Disneyland.
He said the council supported appropriate development, having previously approved the sympathetic redevelopment of the SkyHigh building, and would consider a significant revamped application.
“We are not opposed to the concept of a coffee shop and kiosk on or near the site – it is the design that is inappropriate for such a landmark location,” he said.
Mr Connellan said he was also thinking of starting a petition against the shire’s decision to refuse the application.