Bitter end

By Bridget Brady
DISAPPOINTED Cranbourne North residents say a planning decision to approve a 24-hour service station marks the end of the line for their fight against the development.
Residents who vehemently opposed the development say a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision has crushed any further hopes to stop it.
Casey council in February refused a planning application for a 24-hour service station, car wash, convenience restaurant and ambulance depot to be built on the corner of Huon Park Road and South Gippsland Highway in Cranbourne North, supporting the concerns of 248 residents who signed a petition against the proposal.
The residents said they were troubled by the potential increase in traffic, pollution, lighting and noise.
But the applicant, Strintzos Group, lodged an appeal with VCAT and approval for the application was granted. However to alleviate residents’ concerns about noise, the car wash will close at 10pm and the restaurant at 11pm.
Applicant George Strintzos said he wanted to do the right thing by the community and was open to communication.
“If there are concerns and something we can rectify then we are more than willing,” Mr Strintzos said.
He said an acoustic wall would be built around the development to reduce noise.
About 55 jobs would be created during the development.
But resident Bronwyn Schoer said it was an upsetting outcome.
“It’s disappointing that VCAT is a lot bigger than just the local council because you would think the council would know what’s good for a certain area,” she said.
Leanne, who did not want her surname used, has lived near the site for about 20 years and said her main concern was the traffic and danger to students from nearby schools who crossed the road.
“I would never have thought this would happen here.”
Ms Schoer, 19, said the traffic conditions at the intersection were bad enough, and an ambulance depot would not be appropriate at the site.
“An ambulance coming out of here in peak hour would be just chaos.”
Objector Lyn King attended the VCAT hearing and had the opportunity to have her say about the development.
“It was very difficult to control the emotions,” she said.
Mrs King said residents did not have the resources to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
“I was so disappointed. We can’t do anymore. Thanks to the people who put their names on petitions and for their energy and time. I was really hoping that VCAT would go along with the council and with other people who had concerns about this. I’m not against community development. But I think there are areas where it is more appropriate.”
Mrs King said now the VCAT decision was made, she hoped the development would be of benefit rather than problematic to the community.
“My hope is that they will provide benefit to the community perhaps in the way of training and employment.”