Yarra Ranges Council denies application for Clegg Rd ECEC service

Yarra Ranges Council refused an application for a 120-place early childhood education and care (ECEC) service on Clegg Road, Mount Evelyn with one councillor commenting “Clegg Road is a very busy road acting as a collector and link to Wandin, the Warburton Highway through to Mount Evelyn, Swansea and Canterbury Roads and is getting busier.”

The application had been referred to VCAT on 7 March by the applicant due to the outcome not being determined within the statutory timeframe, local news source Star Mail reported. 

The permit was submitted to council 9 September and was originally listed for the Tuesday 26 April meeting, however the decision was deferred until Tuesday 10 May to address late information coming through.

While council officers had initially recommended the permit be approved, Councillor Tim Heenan moved an alternative motion in opposition to the build, saying his objections were based on the unsafe nature of the plan within the planning scheme, the inability to fit into the neighbourhood character, a lack of road network planning and that the proposal failed to respond to the surrounding environment.

The increased risk to pedestrians and particularly the peak time traffic growth from a childcare centre was raised, as the property is adjacent to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.

Councillor Andrew Fullagar seconded the motion, noting his biggest concern was the traffic conditions and safety even though the Department of Transport consented with provisions.

During the consultation phase the community raised more than 60 objections to the development based on insufficient car parking, impacts to adjoining properties, insufficient building setbacks and the location not being reasonable for a childcare centre.

Yarra Ranges Council’s VCAT hearing will be held between 1 and 3 August this year, with a compulsory conference date of 27 May. 

To access the original coverage of this story, please see here.