The Victorian Civil Administration Tribunal (VCAT) released its long awaited decision on the proposed supermarket for Castlemaine’s former gasworks site on Tuesday.
The authority has set aside Mount Alexander Shire Council’s decision in relation to the amended permit for the larger supermarket, paving the way for developer Lascorp Investment Group Pty Ltd to move ahead with plans to build the new supermarket subject to conditions.
The outcome has been met with mixed reactions from the community with some elated to see more competition in the market and others disappointed by the decision which will alter the landscape of Castlemaine forever.
VCAT members stated “we find that the proposed supermarket and two specialty shops are an as-of-right use in this location and that the design response is acceptable in terms of neighbourhood character, layout, built form, scale, traffic, carparking and landscaping.”
Further the members said “We accept that the introduction of a large supermarket will likely have trading impacts for a small number of existing retail stores, particularly supermarkets, in the region. However, we consider that these impacts would not threaten the viability of any existing retail stores and would be offset by the net community benefit resulting from: improvement in the range of retail facilities available to the residents; improvement of choice and price competition; retention of spending currently being directed at other large supermarkets outside of Castlemaine; and employment opportunities during construction and its ongoing operation”.
Lascorp has previously confirmed the proposed supermarket would be a Woolworths.
Mount Alexander Shire Council had originally granted a permit for a smaller 1,500m2 supermarket development which was originally intended to be an Aldi and two speciality shops at the site in April 2018. However, the developer then submitted plans for a larger 3300m2 supermarket after Aldi pulled out of the project.
The developer took the amended permit to VCAT when the council did not make a determination on the permit in the prescribed time.
Mount Alexander Shire Council later voted against supporting the amended permit for the larger supermarket and took this stance to the tribunal hearing earlier this year.
In response to Tuesday’s decision a council spokesperson said the issue of this supermarket has been of great interest to the community for some time.
“Here at council we have made a concerted effort to listen to the diverse concerns of our residents. It’s important to note that councillors had not made any decisions on the permit in question. Rather this approval comes directly from VCAT. We are satisfied, however, that VCAT’s decision incorporates several of the conditions council suggested, reflective of the deep and broad consultation we have undertaken for several years,” the spokesperson said.
Local objector group Size Matters were among those to make representations to the tribunal hearing held over various dates in March, July and August and the group has worked hard to keep the community informed throughout the extensive process via their Facebook page.
Size Matters spokesperson Kaye Swanton said Size Matters did everything it could to ensure the best possible outcome for residents.
“The group, and other resident respondents who appeared at the VCAT hearing, argued for a more viable stormwater management plan, preservation of existing trees, enhanced
building design and landscaping features and easier traffic flow through the designated carparking area. Concerns about these elements have been somewhat addressed through
the conditions placed on the development,” she said.
“Size Matters welcomes the 73 conditions VCAT has imposed on the development. In particular, the requirement that the original architect and landscape architect be retained
during the construction phase of the development to ensure what was presented in the planning is what is delivered to the community, and maintained over time.
“Without this condition, the risk is that any landscaping will fall short of planned expectations, as is too often common for similar developments, and over time becomes neglected and fills with dead plants, weeds and litter”. Readers can find Size Matters full response on our website.
Lascorp Investment Group National Development Manager Rob Harris told the Mail that they are thrilled with the decision.
He thanked council officers for their support of the project and everyone who contributed to the process for their input.
“I think that what we have now is a far better outcome for the community. A better integrated development and a design which will be very attractive,” he said.
Mr Harris said the development will also enable Woolworths to offer a full line supermarket ensuring locals can access their full range of products.
“This will also be a far better outcome for Castlemaine, it will stop escape expenditure, enable people to purchase the basics that need, and also create 100-200 full and part-time jobs,” he said.
Mr Harris said he feels it will be great for the town as it will also encourage competition, encourage other the supermarkets to develop and improve and keep shopping local.
“People will no longer have to make the 60 kilometre round trip and leave their town to shop. It will keep money local,” he said.
Mr Harris said they hope to begin construction on the new supermarket as soon as possible.
“We have some work to do with council and some work to do on the site environmentally before construction can start. However, we are close to securing a builder and once construction begins the build itself should only take nine to 10 months,” he said.
