By MARC MCGOWAN
COUNCILLORS Noel Cliff and Samantha Dunn are set to meet with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett this week to get a clearer picture on his vision for Burnham Beeches.
Mr Bennett bought the property with investor Adam Garrisson four years ago and they plan to turn it into one of Victoria’s premier food and accommodation destinations.
But their decision to lodge a request for a Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) with Planning Minister Matthew Guy continues to cause angst in the community.
Cr Cliff and Cr Dunn differed somewhat on the issue last week, when speaking about it with the Ranges Trader Mail.
Cr Cliff, who has been in discussions with Mr Bennett and Mr Garrisson for about two years, said all planning decisions would be with Yarra Ranges Council.
He also said the public would have the chance to raise concerns once Burnham Beeches owners made further applications with council.
Cr Dunn hit back at Cr Cliff’s comments on her blog, saying Mr Guy would determine whether residents had that opportunity.
“It is up to the minister to decide if the community will be consulted, not councillors, not council officers, not Burnham Beeches owners,” Cr Dunn said.
“Unless the owners ask the minister to do so and, at any rate, it’s still the minister’s call.
“It is also up to the minister to determine if he makes a decision or asks council for a decision on the PSA.”
Cr Dunn did not return calls, but has spoken with Cr Cliff about the Burnham Beeches redevelopment.
“We’re good mates and she interprets it differently to what I do and that’s fine, but I’m sticking to what I said – we’re calling the shots,” Cr Cliff said in response to Cr Dunn.
“The minister could (overrule council) if he wants to call it in, but he won’t be.
“As it stands at the moment, we are the authority for dictating what happens there and that’s where my money lies.”
Cr Cliff said Mr Bennett might have believed he could overrule council by going to Mr Guy.
“He would love to see something like that, where he has open slather, but I guarantee you the government won’t give him open slather,” Cr Cliff said of Mr Bennett.
“It’s too prestigious a property and it’s got too high a value. It just can’t be given open slather to destroy something people value.
“That’s not just the locals – it’s right across the country. Everyone knows Burnham Beeches and the Nicholas family (which originally owned it), so it’s not going to happen.”
Cr Cliff said the meeting with Mr Bennett would “put to bed all the guessing that’s going on and the rumour mongers”.
Mr Guy said in a statement the planning department would work with the local council and relevant authorities to ensure a sensible outcome on this matter.
