By Romy Stephens
A proposed petrol station in Kallista has been refused by Yarra Ranges Council, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for the project.
A planning application for 80-82 Monbulk Road, Kallista sought to use the site for the development of a service station with a convenience store.
The application, which included vegetation removal and alteration of access to a road, was refused by the council on 2 September.
According to Yarra Ranges Council, there were numerous reasons for the refusal including a failure to demonstrate no undue noise impacts, insufficient access to wastewater disposal services and a failure to respect or reinforce the pattern of existing development within the town centre.
Kallista resident Jes Chalmers said she was pleased with the outcome.
“It was great to see the council has actually listened to the locals and taken on board our feedback and concerns about the proposed development,” she said.
“Everyone probably had varying concerns, the impact toward local businesses, the closeness to the forest and the school and the environmental impacts were the broadcast concerns.
“Now it’s a matter of working with Council and seeing how we can use that land.”
Despite the initial application for the petrol station being refused, the applicant can still make future applications.
However, applications will need to meet the relevant parts of the planning scheme mentioned in the reasons for refusal.
Any applicant or objectors can also appeal the council’s decisions to VCAT.
Ms Chalmers said she would like to see the vacant lot instead used for the benefit of the community.
“There are so many opportunities to use that land, whether it be some sort of family restaurant or a place for us to go,” she said.
“Something that would really add value to the community as a whole would be what we’re looking for.”
A petition to stop the Kallista petrol station development, created a couple of months ago, received over 400 signatures.
It’s understood the site formerly hosted a petrol station.
To find out more about the proposal and the reasons for refusal, visit https://eplanning.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/.
