By Taylah Eastwell
A decision that will shape the future of Belgrave will soon be handed down, with the proposed development for the Old Belgrave Motors site currently being heard by VCAT.
The proposal for a five-storey development at 2-14 Monbulk Road, including a supermarket, shops, a café, offices and a childcare centre, was refused by Yarra Ranges Council on 29 September last year.
The developer, Pulitano Properties, appealed to VCAT, where it is believed to have engaged six expert witnesses to push the proposal it has been trying to get through since 2017.
But the community is fighting back, with one concerned resident contributing $38,000 from their own pocket to fund experts to act on behalf of residents.
The plans include a two-storey high building on Monbulk Road, with a further five storeys set to overlook Puffing Billy Railway station that will extend 130 metres towards Kallista.
Belgrave Tecoma Township Group treasurer Karl Williams described the all-in legal battle as “a clashing of swords”.
“Two great armies have been amassing and finally there will be a clashing of swords,” he said.
According to Mr Williams, Yarra Ranges Council has employed legal representatives and three expert witnesses for the hearing.
Yarra Ranges Council refused the proposal after it failed to meet numerous clauses in the Planning Scheme and was incompatable with the area’s landscape.
“The development, in terms of its visual bulk, will have adverse impact on the amenity of the Puffing Billy Railway Scenic Corridor,” the refusal document read.
Council described the proposal as an “overdevelopment of the site”, with the proposed landscapes, building design, neighbourhood character and plans for vegetation removal not in line with the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.
Director of Planning, Design and Development, Kath McClusky said council’s concerns included “issues raised with the applicant by Council not being resolved and Vicroads (now Department of Transport) objecting to the application at the time”.
Mr Williams said there were 85 objections at a community level, with a small number of local residents pooling their resources to employ their own experts.
“While these experts have been very sympathetic and have given us community rates, they don’t come cheap”, said Mr. Williams.
Mr Williams said the community has set up a fundraiser in an attempt to alleviate the financial burden on the resident who has paid thousands to enlist the help of an expert.
“We’ve set up a crowd-funding site – Chuffed – to try and defray $20,000 of his costs. If anyone feels like chipping in $50 or so, they can do a search on ‘Chuffed Save Belgrave Township’ and make a simple, secure donation,” Mr Williams said.
Key arguments at the hearing are expected to be over traffic congestion, urban design and the threat to the character of the township.
“Many locals are especially outraged at the proposal to remove all 24 trees on the site plus another 24 on adjoining land, including some magnificent old native habitat trees”, said Mr Williams.
“The developer’s arborist completely ignored the priceless habitat that these older trees provide to native animals and birds. Expect the arguments on this at VCAT to be fought hard,” he said.
The VCAT hearing is scheduled to continue until June 10.
