Club application a mystery

By Alison Noonan
PLANS to develop a soccer club and gaming facility in Tooradin have left residents demanding answers.
Locals have questioned who’s behind the mystery application to build a sports ground, pavilion and social club with gaming and liquor licence on vacant land off the South Gippsland Highway.
The applicant is named as Associated Town Planning Consultants, but residents are in the dark as to on whose behalf the company is acting.
Bayview Road resident Charlie Adams feared the proposal would encroach on the town’s existing sports club and drive profits out of the community. Mr Adams said there was no need for a second pokies facility and additional liquor outlet in the small coastal village.
“We have two existing sports grounds here and now they want to create another ground altogether. It just seems so silly,” he said. “The area is already saturated with takeaway and liquor outlets so another facility is really not needed at the present time.”
Mr Adams said he could not understand why the applicants would choose to establish a club just over a kilometre from an existing recreation reserve.
“It’s location is just not warranted,” he said. “The Tooradin Sports Club pours money back in to the community and this private venture would rob a lot of its customers.
“Rutter Park Reserve is a big area and would be ideal for a soccer club.
“Nobody even knew about this proposal until the death knock. I would like to know a bit more about who’s behind it and where the money is coming from,” Mr Adams said.
Tooradin Sports Club manager Graham Bland said the club had lodged a formal objection with Casey Council, claiming there was no demand for another social facility in the area.
“I can’t understand why they have chosen Tooradin. It all seems a bit strange,” he said. “There are only 1000 people in the town and there are more than enough liquor outlets.
“At least all the profits from our club go back into the community through sports, the CFA, kindergarten and primary school.”
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said the application was proposed on green wedge zoned land and didn’t meet the requirements of the area.
“Why Tooradin? That’s the big question,” he said.
“The application is really not suitable for the location.
“Nobody wants more pokies and there are already five liquor outlets in town.
“Council is developing 10 soccer pitches at Casey Fields so I don’t see the need to establish a new ground.
“Not to mention the environmental implications, because the land backs on to Evans Inlet and will catch any run off from the club.
“I am confident it won’t get up in council, but after council approved the mosque (on Manks Road) you can’t be sure,” Cr Butler said.
Casey planning manager Bob Baggio denied there was mention of pokies machines in the application, claiming the permit specified only a soccer field, car parking and social club with a liquor licence.
Mr Baggio said the application would be considered at a planning meeting in late April or early May.
The applicant did not respond to calls from the News before publication.