Foot down at spa scheme

– Russell Bennett
YARRA Ranges Council has rejected a proposed $1 million Sassafras development because of green wedge concerns.
More than 20 local residents formally objected to the proposed open billabong garden and foot spa and 45 signatures were placed on a formal petition.
Simon Skinner of planning firm Planning Sense said the entrance to the open garden on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road opposite the Sherbrooke Community School would cost a ‘nominal fee’.
However he said the massage service would cost anywhere from $65 to $85.
“Open gardens benefit the community,” Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said during the council’s Tuesday 14 December meeting.
“But how does a foot spa?
“This is a commercial operation within a green wedge zone and we must stop it.”
Darryl Berg – speaking on behalf of the project’s opponents – said: “The councillors’ resolution to refuse the application came as a great relief to many anxious residents.
“There were numerous objectionable aspects – incursion of commercial development into a residential zone, detriment to landscape character and amenity, removal of trees, traffic, parking, dust, noise, privacy and security impacts.
“It offered nothing of value back to the community.”
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the proposal was “completely inappropriate”.
“Nobody wants to see a tourist road with all sorts of commercial developments along it.”